The Classical, 7.Qc2 a6 8.Qxc4 is a variation of the Catalan, Open Defense, catalogued as ECO E05. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after eight moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.
On the Catalan, Open Defense generally: Black captures the c4 pawn in the Catalan. White's fianchettoed bishop exerts long-term pressure while Black tries to hold the extra pawn.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 5 Catalan, Open Defense variations →
The Classical, 7.Qc2 a6 8.Qxc4 goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4. It is a variation of the Catalan, Open Defense and is catalogued as ECO E05.
The Classical, 7.Qc2 a6 8.Qxc4 is ECO E05. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Catalan, Open Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4 at +0.13 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.