Is the Catalan a Good Opening?

[@kit3505]

It seems like you are a mind reader haha. When looking for 3. c5 caro content you had a whole repertoire to dig into, and now when I decided to learn the catalan this is right on time! Great content and very well played game.

[@ChessGoals]

Haha Kit that's great. Tomorrow's video is on the 3...c5 Caro advance.

[@juliens.2616]

I’d be super happy to see more content on the Catalan. I kind of use it as a system and it’s working well at my level. However, when I analyze my game with an engine, it always find stronger moves that what I have played haha. There are a lot of nuances in the lines and the move order, and I feel I am missing a repertoire to really perform well in this opening

[@ChessGoals]

Our Catalan Course is going to be released for pre-sale soon!

[@Ebobster]

Good video. The Catalan is intriguing as it seems to produce subtle & lasting pressure vs Black’s Queenside

[@Geert_Stradmeijer]

Your strategic game is on point Matt. Beautiful moves

[@ChessGoals]

Thanks 🙏

[@everettmeyers1285]

Really great video! Deserves more views!

[@ChessGoals]

Much appreciated!

[@robdubent]

Thank you sir! My favorite opening around 2000 level!

[@ChessLifeInsurance]

always scored well with the Catalan. just fianchetto and look to make your light squared bishop work like a magic wand--you can sac on the queenside to create weaknesses--SUPER EASY SYSTEM-LIKE OPENING FOR WHITE!!!

[@ChessGoals]

Yeah!

[@dennismays5692]

Thanks for the enjoyable and instructive video.

[@ChessGoals]

Thanks Dennis!

[@fazzolarijames]

Very enjoyable video Matt, well done!

[@ChessGoals]

Thanks James!

[@stopover1238]

I play Italian, queen gambit bird, English, will try this one now

[@kashyapp23]

Wow I just wanted to learn catalan and you uploaded this

[@ChessGoals]

Thanks for watching. More Catalan content coming!

[@宇宙次佛]

Very good video, just wondering how about black play Bd6 at 6:14. Thank you so much!

[@loc7909]

11:32 If the bishop would have blocked the queen check, the best move is queen takes correct? I'm always hesitant to trade queens unless I'm up a rook, I feel like I need it to win. Do I just need to get over that and play the best move?

[@ChessGoals]

Probably rook takes, making the black queen move and setting up a discovered check with our queen next.

[@loc7909]

I'm so happy to hear this bc I've studied this opening for 6 to 8 months & I've questioned whether it was worth it. TBH, I'm questioning whether I want to be an e4 or d4 player but I feel like you've helped me answer that question now. The reason I wanted to be a d4 player is bc I'd rather play against e4. I've been doing the chessable course for 3 months at least, short and sweet version but you get a 90 min GM video with it. I've had some really good success with it, but I'm like 950, I feel like it works better against higher rated players. Does that make any sense? I've probably put 400 hours into this opening. It's strange I feel like I play better against 1100 & have had some really nice wins. In fact ALL my best underdog wins have came from the Catalan. But I feel like it isn't as helpful against players my rating. It's prob. in all in my mind. I really want to get in a live session with you, but all the times are during the work day for me :( Thanks!

[@ChessGoals]

Hey Tony. One thing that can help your Catalan is to focus on the pawn structures. What strange setups do you see by Black and how can you place your pieces to take advantage of them.

[@tonywebb6916]

@@ChessGoals Okay, I'll pay more attention to that. Thanks! Do you always play it in Queen's Gambit style? One more quick one, I should just schedule a lesson with you especially now that I know you have played so much Catalan. If you play d4 & they offer the center, do you take it and just play good center chess? I've been over theorized I think. ;) I never know whether or not to play c4, on what move order or at all if they don't play d5. I'm going to look into your private schedule.

[@ChessGoals]

@@tonywebb6916 I'm not doing any private lessons at the moment but we have a Patreon option to join our discord server (or access with course purchase). Yes I always go for the big center and play for as much board control as possible. Sometimes I start 1.Nf3 or delay c4, but usually I just go 1.d4 2.c4 and grab the space quickly.

[@loc7909]

@@ChessGoals If you try to play QG going for a Catalan and they accept then do you play e3 or e4 or just keep trying to get your Catalan setup?thanks

[@ChessGoals]

E3 or e4, whichever you prefer

[@wiliamtornado9685]

I m learning a lot with you vídeo about Catalan thanks for share your knowlegde ! Im subscribe

[@ChessGoals]

Awesome, thank you!

[@thechessfish]

Wow those Catalan stats are impressive

[@ChessGoals]

Thanks Matt!

[@y-s-]

great video! do you still play the catalan regularly? is it one of your top openings?

[@ChessGoals]

Yes I like it!

[@CaroKannEnthusiast]

When will you release the catalan repertoire??

[@ChessGoals]

June I hope!

[@side_show_bob2539]

It's like the London you say ? Interesting, very interesting . 🤔

[@ChessGoals]

Haha yes :)

[@WanZo1984]

Hye Sir, can Intermediate player playing this Catalan opening?

[@ChessGoals]

Yes, it's great for intermediate players! And you can try out course out for free to see if you like it.

[@WanZo1984]

@@ChessGoals i teach my daughter this new opening, previously she using English opening

[@rubenlarotin3141]

yeah great catalan till you come across tarrasch variation c5 blasting your center play😂

[@ChessGoals]

😂

[@CaroKannEnthusiast]

First

[@ChessGoals]

He's back!