Catalan Opening: Closed (E06)

The Closed is a variation of the Catalan Opening, catalogued as ECO E06. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O c6 7. Qc2 b6 8. Nbd2 Bb7 9. e4 Na6, reaching the position shown below after 18 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on d5), and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after nine moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.

On the Catalan Opening generally: A sophisticated system combining Queen's Gambit ideas with a fianchettoed king's bishop.

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.

Catalan Opening: Closed — position after Na6 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O c6 7. Qc2 b6 8. Nbd2 Bb7 9. e4 Na6

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4e6
3g3d5
4Bg2Be7
5Nf3O-O
6O-Oc6
7Qc2b6
8Nbd2Bb7
9e4Na6

ECO: E06

Stockfish: +0.17 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Catalan Opening lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Closed?

The Closed goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O c6 7. Qc2 b6 8. Nbd2 Bb7 9. e4 Na6. It is a variation of the Catalan Opening and is catalogued as ECO E06.

What is the ECO code for the Closed?

The Closed is ECO E06. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Catalan Opening.

Is the Closed good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O c6 7. Qc2 b6 8. Nbd2 Bb7 9. e4 Na6 at +0.17 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.

What kind of position does the Closed lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on d5), and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.