This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Opening Name: Catalan: Open, Classical, 6.O-O O-O
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 Be7 6. O-O O-O
The Catalan Opening is a popular and strategically rich choice for White, combining ideas from the Queen's Gambit and fianchettoing the light-squared bishop to g2. In this particular line, Black captures the c4 pawn early (the Open Catalan), aiming to hold onto the extra pawn temporarily.
Characteristic of the move 6...O-O: Black castles to ensure king safety and prepares to complete development. This classical move is standard and flexible, supporting Black’s plan to challenge White’s center and reclaim the pawn on c4.
Attacking or Defensive: From White’s perspective, this setup is mainly positional and strategic, focusing on long-term pressure on Black’s center and queenside. White aims to regain the pawn and exert pressure on Black’s d5 and c4 pawns. Black’s 6...O-O is solid and defensive, aiming to neutralize White’s initiative while preparing counterplay.
Center Control: The Catalan opening is very much about controlling the center. White exerts indirect pressure on the center with pawns on d4 and the bishop on g2, challenging Black’s pawn structure. The Open Catalan specifically invites dynamic play around the center and queenside, with White seeking to exploit the long diagonal and regain the pawn advantage.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Catalan: Open, Classical, 6.O-O O-O, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 2 - Move #9 black
You can also discover how top players used Catalan: Open, Classical, 6.O-O O-O to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.