Catalan Opening: Open Defense
This reference move order leads toward Black capturing the c4 pawn. Watch the continuation that opens the Catalan: White gains long-diagonal pressure and must judge when to recover the pawn.
Your plan as White
Combine d4 and c4 with the g2 bishop's long diagonal. Develop before trying to recover every pawn.
The opponent’s plan
Choose whether to maintain the d5 center or capture on c4, and develop the queenside carefully.
Watch out: Recovering c4 at any cost can lose time and reduce the bishop's pressure.
Opening game…
Practice this line as White.
Play three moves from the line you watched. Hints draw an arrow on the board. Complete a fresh attempt without hints or retries to pass.
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Name, background and sources
The name is associated with Barcelona's 1929 tournament and Tartakower. Earlier examples existed, so the naming story should not be treated as proof of invention.
Read the opening background on Chess.com ↗Lichess opening names and reference lines (CC0)
ChessSum provides original explanatory notes. Related lines are labeled separately. Reference lines illustrate ideas; they are not a claim that every other legal move is wrong.
Watch how the center and piece development change. Each arrow previews the next move.