E06

Catalan Opening: Closed

Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3

The Catalan Opening combines the Queen's Gambit with a kingside fianchetto. White builds a strong positional bind, especially along the long diagonal. The resulting positions are strategically rich and favour patient, technical play.

History & Notable Players

Named after the Catalonia region of Spain where it was first played in 1929. It became Vladimir Kramnik's main weapon and is now one of the most popular openings at the top level.

Best Games

Carlsen,M vs Caruana,F1-0
13th Norway Chess 2025 • 2025★ Notable
So,W vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Caruana,F1-0
12th Norway Chess 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Giri,A vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
10th Sinquefield Cup • 2023★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
Tata Steel IND Rapid Open • 2023★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
11th Norway Chess 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
85th Tata Steel Masters • 2023★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
9th Sinquefield Cup TB • 2022★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs So,W1/2-1/2
9th Sinquefield Cup 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Mamedyarov,S1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Caruana,F0-1
FIDE Candidates 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Radjabov,T1-0
10th Norway Chess 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Giri,A1-0
84th Tata Steel Masters • 2022★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
WCh 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
9th Norway Chess 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Giri,A vs Wang Hao1-0
FIDE Candidates 2020 • 2021★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Fedoseev,Vl31-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 21 • 2021★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs So,W1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2020 • 2020★ Notable

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