Catalan Opening (E01–E09)

A sophisticated system combining Queen's Gambit ideas with a fianchettoed king's bishop.

Every line in this family begins 1. d4, then branches. Each variation below has its own page with the full move order, the position it reaches, and a Stockfish evaluation.

All 26 lines can be practised free in the browser: pick a variation, walk it move by move in Learn mode, then drill it from memory until you can play it without prompting.

All 26 variations of the Catalan Opening

• Tarrasch Defense E011. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 c5
• Open Defense E031. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4
• Open Defense, Alekhine Variation E031. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4
• Open Defense E041. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4
• Open Defense E041. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 c6
• Open Defense, Modern Sharp Variation E041. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4
• Open Defense, Classical Line E051. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4
• Open Defense, Classical Line E051. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7
• Closed E061. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7
• Closed E061. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+
• Closed E061. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7
• Closed E071. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7
• Closed, Botvinnik Variation E071. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7
• Closed E081. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7
• Closed E081. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7
• Closed E081. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7
• Closed E081. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7
• Closed E081. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7
• Closed, Spassky Gambit E081. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Be7 4. Bg2 d5
• Closed, Zagoryansky Variation E081. d4 e6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7
• Closed Variation, Rabinovich Variation E091. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Qc2 e6
• Closed Variation, Traditional Variation E091. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7
• Closed, Main Line E091. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7
• Closed, Main Line E091. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7
• Closed, Main Line E091. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7
• Closed, Sokolsky Variation E091. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7

Frequently asked questions

What are the main moves of the Catalan Opening?

The Catalan Opening begins 1. d4. From there it branches into 26 named variations, each with its own move order and typical plans.

What is the ECO code for the Catalan Opening?

The Catalan Opening is catalogued under ECO codes E01–E09. Individual variations list their own specific code on their page.

How can I practise the Catalan Opening for free?

Open any variation on Chess Ramp and use Learn mode to walk the line one move at a time, then Drill mode to replay it from memory. Practice runs in your browser with no account required.