Learning the Catalan and learning that the Catalan is tough

Learning the Catalan and learning that the Catalan is tough · Training Game

Рет қаралды 7,217

5 ай бұрын

The Catalan is probably the richest opeing I've played so far. It seems that it requires a detailed understanding of several pawn structures and strategic patterns, as well as knowing piece placement in fianchetto structures. So far, it's beyond my skill:D I will be trying to play it over and over again until I manage to navigate most Catalan positions comfortably.
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 { D02 Queen's Pawn Game: Symmetrical Variation, Pseudo-Catalan } e6 4. Bg2 Bd6 5. O-O Nbd7 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. c4 c6 8. b3 a5 9. a3 Re8 10. Bb2 b6 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. Rc1 Qe7 13. a4 Rec8 14. Re1 c5 15. e3?! { (0.81 → 0.16) Inaccuracy. cxd5 was best. } (15. cxd5 exd5 16. Ndc4 Rd8 17. Nxd6 Qxd6 18. Nd3 Ne4 19. Nf4 Re8 20. Qd3 Rac8 21. Red1 Ndf6) 15... cxd4 16. exd4 Bb4 17. Re2 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Nd7 19. cxd5 Bxd5 20. Nc4 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Nf8 22. Nxb6?? { (0.38 → -4.50) Blunder. Rec2 was best. } (22. Rec2 Rab8 23. Bc3 h6 24. Nd6 Rxc3 25. Rxc3 Bxc3 26. Rxc3 Ng6 27. f4 Qf8 28. Qc1 Ne7) 22... Qb7+ { White resigns. } 0-1
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Пікірлер: 42

@wholemilky 5 ай бұрын

I've tried both this sort of more passive Catalan approach as well as 1.d4 2.c4 3.g3 and I much prefer the latter. It's a lot easier to always play for a quick e4 in Closed positions while always having fun positions should they choose to play an Open variation. Of course, theory for the Open Catalan does take some time to learn, but I've found that it's not really that crucial around my level at least ~ 2100 lichess, as most people have no idea what to do. I tend to face opponents trying to 'dodge' theory with silly moves such as ...h6, and generally that just allows me to play the main strategies with an extra tempo, something I much appreciate. The one thing that's certain though is that you have to be comfortable playing g3 against the Benoni, something which I find to be incredibly underrated, as I've scored very well against it. The problem with this sort of slow c4 approach is that Black quickly equalizes, not to mention the fact that they can get their light-squared bishop out and disregard the 'Catalan Bishop'. Fun seeing you play the Catalan though, looking forward to more videos on it!

@paulgoogol2652 5 ай бұрын

This is not really a theoretical opening. I mean black can play so many setups with the Slav or semislav being just fine foe black. I like this setup with the pawn on g6 too. 1g3 g6 etc. Rarely had problems. I like these chill positions actually but as 1e4 player I dont really like to do that with white.

@paulgoogol2652 5 ай бұрын

But I play 5min its much less strategical.

@paulmichaud7565 5 ай бұрын

I liked the way your opponent solved his mobility problems in this game. Very methodical. The Catalan games have been entertaining. Best wishes for the New Year.

@seansklenar3509 5 ай бұрын

It was very methodical. Unfortunate blunder because it was a pretty interesting position. This opponent was playing much better than the last

@tunico3423 5 ай бұрын

I don't really see the reason to avoid starting with 2. c4 (main way to enter the catalan). Delaying c4 give so much more options for black, not only the early ...Bf5 lines, but the quick ...b5 lines are also really annoying as c4 is prevented. The b5 lines are not so common and known by amateurs but with you check with lichess database black tend to have a much bigger win rate than White ( like 48% to 43% ).

@giulianogrisafi4367 5 ай бұрын

Yeah but by starting with c4 you allow e5 (which by the way is the most optimal and common move for black) and that brings the game in completely different positions from Catalan ones. If you want to play the Catalan playing a move that has as a best response a move that doesn’t allow the Catalan isn’t really the smartest option

@TheDJValen 5 ай бұрын

I recommend playing 2. Nf3 after 1. ... Nf6 otherwise with 2. c4 you allow the Budapest gambit. In fact, in my games I tend to delay c4 until I am one move away from castling. Knight sometimes goes to h3, not always f3, for example against the stonewall it's better to route it to f4 through h3 . I'm 2400 Lichess blitz.

@michaelf8221 5 ай бұрын

There's a lot more theory. The early c4s allow several Bb4+ lines that are quite critical. But they are still objectively better than the Bf5s that Stepjan's move order allowed. Still, I respect that he played this game essentially with no theory and made very logical moves to get a slight advantage out of the opening

@HalfofaSandwich 5 ай бұрын

@giulianogrisafi4367 he means c4 on move 2 not starting with it.

@giulianogrisafi4367 5 ай бұрын

@@HalfofaSandwich oh right I’m just retarded then sorry I tought he meant 1.c4 Nf6 2.d4 which is a direct transposition I didn’t read the 2. before c4

@CallumHayesCHESS 5 ай бұрын

The closed Catalan is a popular choice for Black as there is little theory to learn in exchange for accepting the bad c8 bishop. When people see I play the Catalan in OTB games, this is the setup they tend to pick to get a playable game out of the opening. The Bd6 idea from your opponent is so they can play e5 and liberate the bad bishop. The way to "punish" Bd6 is to play Nc3 instead of the typical Nd2, delay Qc2 to save a tempo and play the quick Nfd2 and e4 so when the trades happen on e4 Black loses a tempo as the bishop will be hit by a knight. This results in a favourable closed Catalan compared to the main line with the bishop on e7.

@enzocarlo-liu1265 5 ай бұрын

You know your stuff haha

@CallumHayesCHESS 5 ай бұрын

@@enzocarlo-liu1265 Thanks! Just trying to give back for all the stuff I learnt from this channel. Plus it's nice to see more people play the Catalan :)

@pablourosa1443 5 ай бұрын

I play QGD. Would you recommend closed catalan as opposed to open catalan? I'm used to restricted positions but I rather open up the position once I am equal.

@CallumHayesCHESS 5 ай бұрын

@@pablourosa1443 The problem with the closed is Black can easily slip into a very passive position where you just have to sit there if you do not know the main ideas. A lot of my games go this way, even if I do mess them up later haha. Of course if you learn the ideas its a decent choice, but this is probably the most common line (at least for me) so the one I am used to the most from the White side. From annecdotal experience Bb4+ is a nice line for black if you follow up with either c5 (Eric Rosen calls it the "Ray Robson" and has some videos featuring it, Black has decent play) or Be7 and claim White has missed placed the bishop on d2. The main line from Bb4=Be7 has alot of draws at high level due to a knight repeating moves at one point, if its a draw you want.

@enzocarlo-liu1265 5 ай бұрын

If you are more familiar with restricted positions play the closed catalan@@pablourosa1443

@Sejdr 5 ай бұрын

5:20 She is pregnant - congratulations! :D

@piyushgalav6483 5 ай бұрын

First word father said after the news back to the game :)

@HangingPawns 5 ай бұрын

haha

@HangingPawns 5 ай бұрын

I think I'd have stopped playing:D

@yianni171 5 ай бұрын

these videos have been a staple part of my nightly relaxation recently.. so thank you for that and goodluck

@MaunShComb 5 ай бұрын

Stjepan, I love your channel, incredibly instructional because now that you’re playing the neo-Catalan AND the Caro, both openings that I’m studying like crazy for tournament play. Shankland has a neo-Catalan course, but I dig your dedication to calculation.

@MaunShComb 5 ай бұрын

I’m a middle aged player, 44, started playing seriously 3 years ago. 1800 on Lichess rapid now. Thanks for the help!

@bluefin.64 5 ай бұрын

I just want to thank you for all the games you've posted over the last few months. Best of luck in your upcoming OTB tournaments. Happy New Year!

@joycongrip 5 ай бұрын

Why would you delay c4, why’d you want to avoid the open Catalan?

@leszekebertowski3419 4 ай бұрын

Stjepan where did you stay for your trip in Croatia ? I want to see some nice places in your country but have no idea where to go… great video as always btw ;)

@unh0lys0da16 5 ай бұрын

Rather than b3, what about Re1 and e4? or e4 dxe4 Ng5

@shadmanananta7243 4 ай бұрын

I was screaming when you hold your Knight on b6..

@craigebailey5318 5 ай бұрын

I think your series of videos on the Catalan is excellent. Why are you not following the lessons? The Catalan is mot timid and needs to be more proactive.