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Catalan Opening

Closed Variation, Traditional Variation

E09positionalsolid

  1. 1.d4Nf6
  2. 2.c4e6
  3. 3.Nf3d5
  4. 4.g3Be7
  5. 5.Bg2O-O
  6. 6.O-ONbd7
  7. 7.Qc2c6
  8. 8.Nbd2b6
1,223 games55%39%

A main line of the Closed Catalan in which Black builds a compact setup with ...Nbd7, ...c6 and ...b6 against White's Qc2 and Nbd2, preparing e4.

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About the Traditional Variation

The Traditional Variation is a main line of the Closed Catalan, classified under ECO E09. Black meets 7. Qc2 and 8. Nbd2 with the compact setup ...Nbd7, ...c6 and ...b6, which holds d5 and prepares to develop the queen's bishop on the long diagonal. The knight on d2 backs the central break 9. e4, by far the most common choice. 9. Rd1 and 9. b3 are quieter alternatives. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced.

Popular continuations