Catalan Opening: Closed (E08)

The Closed is a variation of the Catalan Opening, catalogued as ECO E08. 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. Rd1 Nbd7 9. Bf4, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black 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 Bf4 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
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. Rd1 Nbd7 9. Bf4

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4e6
3g3d5
4Bg2Be7
5Nf3O-O
6O-Oc6
7Qc2b6
8Rd1Nbd7
9Bf4

ECO: E08

Stockfish: +0.13 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. Rd1 Nbd7 9. Bf4. It is a variation of the Catalan Opening and is catalogued as ECO E08.

What is the ECO code for the Closed?

The Closed is ECO E08. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Catalan Opening.

Is the Closed good for White?

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. Rd1 Nbd7 9. Bf4 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.

What kind of position does the Closed lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three 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.