Chess Openings·Catalan Opening, Open Variation

Indian Defence

Catalan Opening, Open Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4

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. 1 pieces have left the board. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
8 moves
To move
White
Legal replies
36
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 1
Material
38 · 39
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rnbqkb1r/ppp2ppp/4pn2/8/2pP4/6P1/PP2PPBP/RNBQK1NR w KQkq - 0 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…dxc4Black: Pawn d5→c4 (capture)

Nearby lines

first 7 moves shared

Catalan Opening, Closed Variation…Be7 Nf3 O-O O-OCatalan Opening…c4 e6 g3Nimzo-Indian Defence…Nc3 Bb4Queen's Indian Defence…Nf3 b6Bogo-Indian Defence…Nf3 Bb4Nimzo-Indian Defence, Rubinstein Variation…Nc3 Bb4 e3

Common questions

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

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4

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.