ECO E00 · for White
Catalan Opening
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
158,900 games in this band reached the Catalan Opening position. From there White won 52% and drew 5%.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 c6 5. Nf3 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Nbd7
Moves 1 to 2
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6
1. d4
The Queen's Pawn opening is more usually more positional in nature, White intends to develop the pieces while having a share of the center.
1... Nf6
Preventing e4 while developing a piece.
2. c4
Controlling some central squares using a flank pawn before playing Nc3
2... e6
Preparing for a solid setup with d5, often leading to the Queen's Gambit Declined or the Nimzo-Indian Defense. This move also frees the dark-squared bishop.
Moves 3 to 4
3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 c6
3. g3
Planning to fianchetto the bishop, which will help control the center and potentially put pressure on the opponent's kingside.
3... d5
Breaking in the center, challenging c4, and lessening the power of white's light squared bishop.
- 3... Bb4+: Developing the bishop with check. Black is now able to castle quickly.
- 3... c5: Breaking in the center and preparing to play a very sharp and tactical game.
4. Bg2
Fianchettoing the bishop and putting pressure on Black’s center.
4... c6
Strengthening the center and allowing Black to recapture with either the c-pawn or e-pawn if White captures on d5.
- 4... Be7: Developing the dark-squared bishop and preparing to castle kingside.
- 4... Bb4+: Developing the dark-squared bishop, while giving White a check and preparing to castle kingside.
- 4... dxc4: Capturing the pawn on c4 with the goal of hanging onto the extra pawn.
Moves 5 to 6
5. Nf3 Be7 6. O-O O-O
5. Nf3
5... Be7
6. O-O
6... O-O
Move 7
7. Nc3 Nbd7
7. Nc3
7... Nbd7
Plans for White in this position
What White usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The knight on c3 typically recaptures the pawn on e4
- The queen generally develops to d3
- The knight on f3 often moves to d2
- The dark-squared bishop usually develops to f4
- The kingside rook often develops to d1
- Common pawn moves are b3 and e4
Related opening guides
- Italian Game for White
- Queen's Gambit for White
- English Opening for White
- Bishop's Opening for White
- Zukertort Opening for White
- Ruy Lopez for White