Catalan Opening

After recently deciding to begin branching out and learning some new openings, I came across the Catalan Opening and immediately found interest in it, considering that I usually play the English (1. c4) with an early kingside fianchetto.

So, in short, I'm looking for any opinions, information, and/or resource suggestions regarding it. I'd also be interested in any interesting transposition tricks or lines in which black doesn't play d7-d5 immediately (i.e. 3. ... Bb4+ or 3. ... c5).

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2

I've played it for years. I have an excellent record with it in blitz. I haven't played it a lot here, since I'm trying to broaden my opening repetoire.

Basically, the closed Catalan is just plain good for white. It doesn't give the most awesome winning chances, but white gets lots of the kind of positions where either white wins or its a draw. It's one of those openings where white normally gets a large space advantage, but has to play patiently and can overextend himself.

The open Catalan (where black plays d x c4 at some point before white defends it directly) seems to be tougher. Despite GM Kramnik's recent success with the Catalan, this seems to be a lot harder for white to get an advantage.

Oddly, almost everyone plays the closed Catalan against me.

Originally posted by Erekose
I've played it for years. I have an excellent record with it in blitz. I haven't played it a lot here, since I'm trying to broaden my opening repetoire.

Basically, the closed Catalan is just plain good for white. It doesn't give the most awesome winning chances, but white gets lots of the kind of positions where either white wins or its a draw. It's o ...[text shortened]... hite to get an advantage.

Oddly, almost everyone plays the closed Catalan against me.

Originally posted by wittywonka
After recently deciding to begin branching out and learning some new openings, I came across the Catalan Opening and immediately found interest in it, considering that I usually play the English (1. c4) with an early kingside fianchetto.

So, in short, I'm looking for any opinions, information, and/or resource suggestions regarding it. I'd also be inte f6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2

[fen]rnbqkb1r/ppp2ppp/4pn2/3p4/2PP4/6P1/PP2PPBP/RNBQK1NR[/fen]

Originally posted by wittywonka
Thanks for the feedback. Have you ever had any problems with alternative third moves for black?

Anybody else?

I played it mainly as a transposition from the english to avoid certain lines I didn't like. I really enjoyed playing the open Catalan, but I didn't have the patience for the closed.

A new edition of "A Strategic Opening Repertoire for White" by IM John Donaldson and FM Carsten Hansen has just come out. The Catalan structure (pawns on d4, c4, and g3) is a frequent element of their suggested repertoire.

I bought "The Catalan" by Ken Smith and John Hall.
It is a rather short book, so I would try and see if you can get your local Library to get it rather than buying it.
It goes with the move order:
1. d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3
from there it branches into 3...d5, 3....c5, and 3....Bb4+
it splits 3....d5 into two main lines: 4. Nf3 and other lines. They suggest NOT playing Nf3, they call it a "bastard" line, but whatever is good for you. I'll post more later, but the Catalan is a nice enough opening...I really liked how the Bishop has a nice, happy diagnal into the queen side

for your 3...Bb4+, Nd2 is considered good.
as for 3....c5, Nf3 is good. If black captures in, then it seems pretty sharp. In these lines go for the center, it looks pretty good.
EDIT: if you want to play a couple unrated games, I would be willing to work on those lines for you.

wow...it seems to me that I always kill threads...sigh...

Originally posted by endgamer