The Catalan Opening is characterised by the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2, although it is common to transpose into it from other lines.
Popular in the 1930′s and 1940′s, Vladimir Kramnik has been instrumental in restoring its popularity.
It was named after Savielly Tartakower used it in the 1929 Barcelona tournament, after being asked to create a new variation in homage to the region’s chess history.
Featured Video: Kramnik at the peak of his powers playing the white pieces against Magnus Carlsen.
Opening Theory:
Games:
- Radjabov vs Anand – Catalan Opening – 2013 Norway Chess Rd7 – Radjabov’s struggles continue
- Hammer vs Carlsen – Catalan Opening – 2013 Norway Chess Rd7 – battling and behind on time
- Hammer vs Carlsen – Catalan Open – 2013 Norway Chess Rd7 – battling and behind on time
- Kramnik vs Carlsen – Catalan – 2013 Candidates Rd9 – Kramnik pushing
- Carlsen vs Aronian – Catalan – 2013 Candidates Rd8 – tame draw
- Kramnik vs Ivanchuk – Catalan Opening – 2013 Candidates Rd6 – another time scramble and an all-out attempt
- Ivanchuk vs Grischuk – Catalan Opening – 2013 Candidates Rd1 – well-analysed paths
- Leko vs Karjakin – Catalan – 2013 Tata Steel Rd12 – solid Catalan
- Magerramov vs Kasparov – Catalan Opening – Baku 1979 – 16 year-old Kasparov miniature
- Khalifman vs Sveshnikov – Catalan Opening – Elista, 1996 – sharp Queen’s Gambit Declined transposing into a Catalan
- Markowski vs Onischuk – Catalan Opening – Polanica Zdroj, 1999 – beautiful unfolding of the position
- Kramnik vs Carlsen – Catalan Opening – Dortmund, 2007 – Kramink at the peak of his powers
- Gelfand vs Georgiev – Catalan Opening – 2004 Chess Oympiad – beautiful tactical navigation
- Sosonko vs Huebner – Catalan Opening – Tilburg, 1979
- Howell vs Hawkins – Catalan – 2012 British Championship Rd 3
- Carlsen vs Kramnik, Corus 2010, Part 1
- Carlsen vs Kramnik, Corus 2010, Part 2
Other resources:
