Open Catalan Part 1: 4...dxc4 5. Bg2 a6

Yeah this my first blog in like forever and hopefully my English has improved lol. But enough chit chat, let's just get straight to the point.

The Catalan is an opening for white that was popularized in the recent years. It is a strong opening that is one of the most played ones at the top level of chess, and it definitely proved its worth. 

The Catalan can start from several move orders, but we will be looking at the one which deviates(hopefully correct word use) from the QGD(Queen's Gambit Declined).

From the moves above, we can see that the Catalan is like a Queen's Gambit, but with g3. White's point is that the c4 pawn pressures the d5 pawn, and along with the bishop on g2, they can put some serious pressure onto the black position. Black can of course deal with this in various ways, but let's look at the most direct, forcing and challenging move first.

4...dxc4

The move 4...dxc4, is a very direct attempt at trying to counter the Catalan. Black takes a free pawn, and just says that they are a pawn up in material. And yes, it in fact is a free pawn. But you surrender the control over the center, and open up the h1-a8 diagonal. And we are going to take full advantage of that by playing the move Bg2.

After 5. Bg2, black has several options such as; 5...a6, 5...Bb4+, 5...Nc6, 5...c5 etc. But we'll look at the most straight forward option first, which is 5...a6. 

Black's idea is very simple. Prepare the move b5(For the future. If timed wrong, the Catalan bishop will shred black's position), and cling on to the c4 pawn. White proceeds with the move 6. O-O. 6. Ne5 is also a possible option, but since black hasn't played b5 yet, the move is a bit rushed. Therefore, we'll proceed with 6. O-O.

Black now plays the move 6...Nc6. Blocking the bishop's scope on the diagonal, and simultaneously pressuring the d4 pawn. Since black didn't rush with b5, the h1-a8 diagonal is still partially closed. Therefore, 7. Ne5 doesn't work due to 7...Nxe5, simply taking the knight. Because of this reason, white here plays 7. e3. Protecting the d4 pawn with another pawn. 7. Nc3 and 7. Bg5 are interesting alternatives, but 7. e3 is more solid.

Now that white has consolidated their center control, it is time to start some shenanigans. White's idea is simple; target the c4 pawn, and then expand in the center. Anticipating the expansion coming, black plays 7...Bd7, adding another layer of defense to the knight on c6. 7...Rb8 is an interesting alternative.

White follows up with the simple; 8. Qe2. Targeting the c4 pawn, and preparing Rd1 with future e4 ideas. After 8. Qe2, black has 2 realistic choices. Either 8...b5, defending the c4 pawn, or 8...Bd6, giving back the c4 pawn.

Both 8...b5 and 8...Bd6 are good options. 8...b5 is more confrontational. While taking more risks, you have more winning chances. 8...Bd6, on the other hand, is much more solid, and the game will probably result in a draw with good play from black. We'll mainly focus on 8...b5 since it is the more challenging move. While after 8...Bd6, white will take back the c4 pawn, and then both sides will have to play chess. Thus, let's continue on with 8...b5. 

After 8...b5, white has 2 game plans. Either play in the center with Rd1, Nc3 etc. Or 9. b3, immediately counterattacking in the center. Both options have their pros and cons. Though since 9. b3 is more popular, we'll focus on it instead of 9. Rd1.

After 9. b3, immediately attacking the pawn chain, black's only option is to take on b3. Thus 9...cxb3. White takes back with the a pawn, and black can play both 10...Be7 or 10...Bd6. We'll continue with 10...Be7, since the plans are virtually the same for white.

Now, you have an unbalanced middle game where both sides have chances. White's game plan will be to move the dark square bishop, place the rooks on the open a and c file, and start to laser-beam down the black position. As for black, he'll try to block the Catalan bishop, consolidate and then try to use his extra pawn. As for what'll happen next, that's your responsibility as the player! 

That's all(hopefully) I have to cover for 4...dxc4 5. Bg2 a6. It is a very strong weapon if mastered. I'll be working on part 2 soon, and hopefully it'll be done within the next 3 months. I'll show a game played between Wesley So and Jan-Krzysztof Duda below, enjoy! 🙂

  Wesley So - Jan-Krzysztof Duda

1/2-1/2

That's all I have to cover for 4...dxc4 5. Bg2 a6. I could've added in 4...dxc4 5. Qxa4+, which is an alternative option instead of 5. Bg2, but ultimately didn't. Anyways, thanks for reading, and I'll see if I can get another blog out within the next few months, ciao!