The Catalan

I recently attempted to open using the Catalan. I am trying to learn a new opening. I won the game and i wanted to analyze it. Inaccuracy after inaccuracy is what the system said. Umm. Wtf?

[Site "Chess.com iPhone"]
[Date "11/21/2017 11:39PM"]
[White "lonewolflopez (978)"]
[Black "Lemonthedonky (1059)"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 b6 4.Nf3 Bb7 5.Bg2 h6 6.e3 g5 7.O-O e6 8.Nbd2 Bb4 9.a3 Bxd2 10.Qxd2 Ne4 11.Qc2 Ba6 12.b3 Nd6 13.Nd2 Nd7 14.Re1 Qf6 15.cxd5 Bb7 16.Qxc7 exd5 17.Bb2 Ne4 18.Bxe4 dxe4 19.Qxb7 O-O 20.Qxd7 h5 21.Nc4 h4 22.d5 Rad8 23.Bxf6 Rxd7 24.Bxg5 Rxd5 25.Bxh4 f6 26.Rad1 Rfd8 27.Nb2 Kg7 28.Rxd5 Rxd5 29.Rd1 Rxd1+ 30.Nxd1 {lonewolflopez wins by Resignation}

I did use the analysis from chess.com. That is where it said most of the opening was inaccurate. It didnt even recognize the catalan which it usually recognizes different openings. I was just wondering why.

or "1.d4" by boris avrukh form quality chess is a very extensive work on the catalan

The Catalan is a complex opening and you need to understand the ideas. You must know the right moves and when to play those moves in order to be successful with this opening. Sure, you might have won this game, but when you play more skilled opponents, you will see a different result. 

I get it. They all are at my level. I suppose curiosity is frowned upon in the forums. Thanks for the advice...

Thanks PieceOfPoo, but it isnt necessary. Before i tried the opening i spent some time watching tutorials and reading (not to much) info that google had to offer, and this precise position (for white) is what most said was correct. From there i just played chess. I analyzed the game afterwards to see more or less how my ideas worked and the inaccuracies in the beginning made me curious. Thanks though!

Thanks!!

Pieceofpoo, i am sorry if you thught i was being arrogant, that wasnt my intention at all.  I really appreciate your help.  I also really appreciate your insect by insect breakdown of the game! Hilarious and accurate.  Again, not trying to be arrogant and thanks for the help

 

@lonewolflopez, though maybe not a technical Catalan you did have the general correct idea that worked. In the closed Catalan, white often concentrates on a black weakness on the c-file, like a backward pawn or an associated weakness over on the queen side when black tries to fix it. Even non standard closed often have the same idea.

Might want to take a look at games like the recent Aronian - Karjakin London Classic, Carlsen -Aronian 2013 candidates or Kasparov - Kramnik 2000 WC and just notice where white puts his pieces and applies pressure. Might help you improve your Catalan understanding.

'Your opponent played like an insect' LMAO!

😂😂

This is about the assessment of the accuracy of two 1000-rated players by a 3000-rated computer (or some other stellar rating).  A realistic long term objective to be say 400 points stronger would involve being merely somewhat less inaccurate by this standard.

So while it is good to strive for accuracy, it is not necessary to achieve it completely to beat your opponents, nor is it feasible to achieve it (at least consistently - moderate strength players can play occasional games with very high accuracy).

So don't be put off by inaccuracy - just try to reduce it.

The example in the OP is a horrible one.  Black's moves make no sense at all, and White shouldn't play 3.g3 there.

 

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nf6, White should trade on d5 and then play 4.Nf3!

After 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6, White should play 3.c4 of course.

 

The Catalan is specifically effective when the Light-Squared Bishop is blocked by the Black pawn chain.  That means ...e6 needs to be played for it to be effective.  This is why the Catalan is used against attempts at the Nimzo-Indian and Queen's Gambit Declined, not other openings.

 

EX:  1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 is one common way to get there.

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 (or 4...dxc4) 5.Nf3 is the other common way to get to a Catalan.

@thrillerfan @elroch Thanks!

 

The Spanish should be renamed Catalan...