The Catalan: 20 Ideas You Must Know | Opening Masterclass

A comprehensive masterclass on one of the most powerful openings at just about every level - the Catalan.

Intro: 0:00
Part I - Closed Catalan: 1:37
Part II - Open Catalan: 24:10
Part III - Move Order Tricks: 41:30

[benhavey]

I've played the Catalan for a decade and this is the best guide I've ever seen! This should be required watching before studying Catalan lines.

[gusleffers]

This is really well done. In general there is very little ‘idea’ instruction for most openings like this, so to have the pawn structures and typical ideas explained so well is an incredible resource.

[EntropicalNature]

Way to saturated with chess channels, so I have to admit: I really didn't want to watch this video, but hey let's give the algorithm a try! I'm 12:48 in and I'm already subbed and commenting right now. Finally someone who is capable of communicating with a proper high level of information density. I've seem to struck a gem here. Hats off to you sir! Already looking forward finishing all of your videos!

[fazzolarijames]

I’m learning the closed Catalan for Black so this video was extremely insightful. Thank you 🙏

[t-rex]

Please make a video how to gain initiative when black takes the pawn and plays well for not so good players

[Steveross]

One caveat for lichess blitz players rated 1600 - 2000, this is not as "easy" as it looks and I would suggest practicing first with lots of blitz games against a weak lichess Stockfish level like Stockfish 3 or Stockfish 4 depending on your strength. Those Stockfish engines blunder a lot thus giving you a lot of practice crushing it with your opening ideas sure, but even those weak Stockfish levels can still sometimes be tricky enough to beat you if you're not careful. Once you're confident you can crush those Stockfish levels consistently in blitz then you'll be ready to use the Catalan effectively at the lichess 1600 - 2000 blitz level.

[jacklc]

This series is really excellent - thank you for putting this work in!

[normalvolume]

Very thorough, succinct and rapid explanations; much appreciated

[emirtongu]

you're the best guider of catalan i have ever seen. subscribed👊

[yesyoeable]

Just got myself into the Catalan and this is absolutely great to build upon. Thanks!

[dj_grim]

I've watched the section on Closed Catalan and no mention whatsoever of what to do when the opponent breaks c5 which so many of my opponents do, and it appears many GMs do too. The lichess database doesn't call it Catalan anymore but I'd consider any opening where white starts with some combination of d4, c4, Nf3, 0-0, g2, Bg3 a Catalan (assuming black played d5 and Nf6 at some point in it).

My own usual order is d4 then Nf3 then c4 then g3, Bg2 and 0-0.

[hello_sooraj]

what a legendary video, please make a video on Sicilian Defence variations.

[Gavinisthebes]

Thank you so much man this is by far the best video I’ve seen on Catalan ideas I can finally play it and not be terrified💪

[australopigreco]

Yesterday i lost a game where i played black in a catalan closed line. White played in the exact fashion you showed and i got wrecked. So today i saw your video, a great one! cheers Sam

[erikolsson]

Great video! What about the Slav setup? I find it challenging to meet. Maybe not play the Catalan when one gets c6 on the board?

[jiggs]

Thanks bro. Your are only one on YouTube who makes decent videos on openings

[sameerkanth]

(16) Now it makes a lot of sense why Kramnik's old games follow the English setup line to enter the Catalan. This was an excellent video which builds upon further on the basics of the Catalan. (17) I follow this move order and also don't like playing against the Bf5 lines in Catalan. That Bishop can be very annoying if they can get an open C-file and if my rook is already developed to d1. I always wonder whether the Queen's Gambit is more venomous compared to the Catalan because when I follow this move order the engine keeps recommending me to go c4 ASAP. What is your opinion on QG vs Catalan ?

[roytwinberrow]

Great content as always.
Many thanks.

[jasonbraun]

As someone who picked up the Catalan last year, this is really valuable information. Now I can see the differences between, for example, black playing Be7 or Bd6 in a Semi-Slav setup. The c5 idea also came in handy a few months ago. Otherwise, I'm thinking I can't create this nice outpost on d5 for black's knight! Question...In Part 4, how do you handle black taking on c4 after Bg2, Nbd7, O-O, dxc4? These lines look pretty messy in my database, which is why I always play Qc2 after black plays c6.

[JoseDownUnder]

Sam, at 18:11, it looks like it is actually good for White after Qxe5 and Bb2