Theoria
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Catalan Opening

Closed, Zagoryansky Variation

E08positionalsolid

  1. 1.d4e6
  2. 2.c4Nf6
  3. 3.Nf3d5
  4. 4.g3Be7
  5. 5.Bg2O-O
  6. 6.O-ONbd7
  7. 7.Qc2c6
  8. 8.Rd1b6
  9. 9.a4

No game statistics for this position yet.

A Closed Catalan branch where White meets Black's ...c6 and ...b6 setup with Rd1 and a queenside thrust a2-a4, in a slow, maneuvering game.

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About the Zagoryansky Variation

The Zagoryansky Variation is a branch of the Closed Catalan in which White answers 7...c6 with 8. Rd1 instead of the main-line 8. Nbd2, putting a rook on the d-file behind the d4-pawn. After 8...b6, White plays 9. a4, gaining queenside space and preparing a4-a5 to question the b6-pawn while Black is still arranging to develop the c8-bishop. The play remains slow and maneuvering.

Popular continuations

No continuations known for this position yet.