The Catalan Opening in chess (INSET) which. Gukesh used against Ding Liren in Game 9 of the World Chess Championship. (Courtesy: FIDE/Eng Chin An)
The Catalan Opening takes its name from Catalonia in Spain after this opening was played at a tournament there in 1929. In this White plays d4, c4 like in the Queen’s Gambit, but then goes on to play g3 to fianchetto the kingside bishop.
After it debuted in Catalonia, this opening was subsequently taken up at the highest level by many famous grandmasters over the decades. It was played a few times by former world champions Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen. Those following the 2024 World Chess Championship would note that India’s D Gukesh played it in Game 9 against China’s Ding Liren.
These are White’s moves on the board in a typical Catalan Opening: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3
The Catalan Opening in chess. Gukesh used a variation of the Catalan against Ding Liren in Game 9 of the World Chess Championship. (Courtesy: Lichess)
While playing the Catalan, White keeps a strong centre with d4, c4 and has the light-squared bishop staring down Black’s queenside along the long diagonal. Depending on Black’s responses, the Catalan has mainly two variations
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Open Catalan: In this Black plays d5, and then in the next move takes the c4 pawn trying to create imbalance for White. It may then give up the extra pawn or try to hold on it with reinforcements like b5, a6. White gains in development. Typically, the moves would play out 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4
Closed Catalan: Black does not capture the c4 pawn early but instead focuses on keeping a strong pawn centre. This move may not lead to sharp play like in the Open variation. Here’s how the moves pan out often: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7
The Catalan remains a favourite with many players because of the control it gives over the central squares and for the long-term positional advantages.
