Chess Openings·Catalan Opening, Main Variation

Indian Defence

Catalan Opening, Main Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7

Step through

8 / 8
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

A bishop goes to the side square and takes the long diagonal. Pawns push forward and take room away from the opponent. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on d4 · d5. Nothing has been captured yet. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
8 moves
To move
White
Legal replies
35
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 2
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rnbqk2r/ppp1bppp/4pn2/3p4/2PP4/6P1/PP2PPBP/RNBQK1NR w KQkq - 2 5

Move by move

Each move spelled out: which piece went from where to where.

  1. 1.d4White: Pawn d2→d4
  2. 1…Nf6Black: Knight g8→f6
  3. 2.c4White: Pawn c2→c4
  4. 2…e6Black: Pawn e7→e6
  5. 3.g3White: Pawn g2→g3
  6. 3…d5Black: Pawn d7→d5
  7. 4.Bg2White: Bishop f1→g2
  8. 4…Be7Black: Bishop f8→e7

Nearby lines

first 8 moves shared

Catalan Opening, Closed Variation…Nf3 O-O O-OCatalan Opening, Open Variation…dxc4Catalan Opening…c4 e6 g3Nimzo-Indian Defence…Nc3 Bb4Queen's Indian Defence…Nf3 b6Bogo-Indian Defence…Nf3 Bb4

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Catalan Opening, Main Variation?

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Indian Defence — 1.d4 Nf6, hitting the centre later instead of occupying it now.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 8 moves it is White to move.