The Catalan, an opening repertoire for life Vol.1 - Open Catalan - ChessBase

Unlock the full potential of the Open Catalan in this in-depth course designed for both aspiring and experienced players. In this volume, we dive deep into the various critical lines that arise after dxc4, examining Black's most popular and challenging setups, including 5...c5, 5...a6 with 6...b5, and the flexible Nc6. Each variation is thoroughly explored to give you a complete understanding of the positions you’ll face and how to navigate them.

This course goes beyond simple move memorization. It’s packed with strategic insights and clear explanations of the key ideas and plans that guide the opening and transition into the middlegame. Whether Black chooses a solid setup, or an aggressive setup, you’ll be equipped with the tools to handle any response confidently.

What sets this course apart is the interactive approach we offer to enhance your learning experience:

• Theoretical Videos: Learn the core strategies of the Open Catalan through clear and engaging explanations that break down even the most complex positions.
• In-depth Analysis: Dive into the nuances of each variation with detailed analysis that highlights both common traps and critical plans.
• Model Games: Study carefully selected games from top-level play to see how grandmasters employ these lines in practice.
• Practical Exercises: Reinforce your knowledge with carefully designed exercises that challenge your understanding and help you master the key ideas in each position.
• Annotated Files: Access detailed, annotated files to support your study and allow you to revisit key concepts at your own pace.

Whether you are new to the Catalan, or a seasoned player looking to refine your repertoire, this course is an indispensable resource. It provides a structured yet flexible approach, enabling you to adapt the opening to your style, whether you prefer dynamic or positional play.

Learn to not only respond to your opponent’s moves but also take control of the game with well-timed strategies and powerful plans. With the expertise and depth of analysis included in this course, you'll be able to transform your understanding of the Open Catalan and incorporate these powerful lines into your repertoire.

Video running time: 9 hours 30 minutes

What you will receive:

• Fritztrainer App for Windows
• Available as download or on DVD
• Video course with a running time of approx. 4-8 hrs.
• Repertoire database: save and integrate Fritztrainer games into your own repertoire (in WebApp Opening or in ChessBase)
• Interactive exercises with video feedback: the authors present exercises and key positions, the user has to enter the solution. With video feedback (also on mistakes) and further explanations.
  
• Sample games as a ChessBase database.

What the FritzTrainer App can do for you:

• Videos can run in the Fritztrainer app or in the ChessBase program with board graphics, notation and a large function bar
• Analysis engine can be switched on at any time
• Video pause for manual navigation and analysis in game notation
• Input of your own variations, engine analysis, with storage in the game
• Learn variations: view specific lines in the ChessBase WebApp Opening with auto play, memorize variations and practice transformation (initial position - final position).
• Active opening training: selected opening positions are transferred to the ChessBase WebApp Fritz-online. In a match against Fritz you test your new knowledge and actively play the new opening.

Even more possibilities: Start FritzTrainer in the ChessBase program!

• The database with all games and analyses can be opened directly.
• Games can be easily added to the opening reference.
• Direct evaluation with game reference, games can be replayed on the analysis board
• Your own variations are saved and can be added to the own repertoire
• Replay training
• LiveBook active
• All engines installed in ChessBase can be started for the analysis
• Assisted Analysis
• Print notation and diagrams (for worksheets)

Contents

• 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 - Introduction
• Introduction
• 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 a6
• 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 a6
• 6.0-0 b5
• 6.0-0 b5 In-depth analysis
• 6.0-0 Nc6 7.e3 Rb8
• 7.e3 Bd7 8.Qe2 b5 9.b3 cxb3 10.axb3 Be7
• 7.e3 Bd7 8.Qe2 b5 9.b3 cxb3 10.axb3 Bd6
• 7.e3 Bd7 8.Qe2 Bd6
• Analysis & Model Games
• Repertoire Training
• Opening Trainer
• Exercises
• Database
• 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 c5
• 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 c5
• 6.0-0 Nc6 7.dxc5 Qxd1 8.Rxd1 Bxc5 9.Nbd2 c3 10.bxc3 Bd7
• 6.0-0 Nc6 7.dxc5 Qxd1 8.Rxd1 Bxc5 9.Nbd2 c3 10.bxc3 0-0
• 10...0-0 11.Nb3 Be7 12.Nfd4 Bd7 In-depth analysis
• 10...0-0 11.Nb3 Be7 12.Nfd4 Nxd4 In-depth analysis
• Analysis & Model Games
• Repertoire Training
• Opening Trainer
• Exercises
• Database
• 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 Bb4+
• 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 Bb4+
• 6.Bd2 a5
• 6.Bd2 a5 In-depth analysis
• 6.Bd2 c5
• 6.Bd2 c5 In-depth analysis
• Model Game 6.Bd2 c5: Handler vs Baum
• 6.Bd2 Be7
• Analysis & Model Games
• Opening Trainer
• Exercises
• Database
• 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 Nc6
• 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 Nc6
• 6.Qa4 Nd7
• 6.Qa4 Bb4+ - Sidelines
• 7.Bd2 Nd5 8.Bxb4 Ndxb4 9.0-0 Rb8 10.Na3 0-0
• 7.Bd2 Nd5 8.Bxb4 Ndxb4 9.0-0 Rb8 10.Na3 0-0 In-depth analysis
• Model Game: Bosiocic vs Sanikidze
• 7.Bd2 Nd5 8.Bxb4 Ndxb4 9.0-0 Rb8 10.Na3 a6
• Analysis & Model Games
• Repertoire Training
• Opening Trainer
• Exercises
• Database
• 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 c6
• 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 c6
• 6.Ne5 c5/Bb4+
• 6.Ne5 b5
• Analysis & Model Games
• Repertoire Training
• Opening Trainer
• Exercises
• Database
• 4...Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 - Sidelines
• 4...Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 - Sidelines
• Sidelines
• 7...b5
• 7...b5 In-depth analysis
• 7...b6
• 7...b6 in-depth analysis
• 7...c6
• Analysis & Model Games
• Repertoire Training
• Opening Trainer
• Exercises
• Database
• 4...Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 a6
• 4...Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 a6
• 8.a4 Nc6
• 8.a4 Nc6 in-depth analysis
• 8.a4 Nbd7 in-depth analysis
• 8.a4 c5
• 8.a4 c5 in-depth analysis
• 8.a4 b6
• 8.a4 Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bg5 a5
• 8.a4 Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bg5 a5 in-depth analysis
• 8.a4 Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bg5 Nbd7
• 8.a4 Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bg5 Nbd7 in-depth analysis
• 8.a4 Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bg5 Bd5
• 8.a4 Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 10.Bg5 Bd5 in-depth analysis
• Model Game: Deac vs Grischuk
• Model Game: Tkachiev vs Piket
• Analysis & Model Games
• Repertoire Training
• Description
• 8th move alternatives
• 8...Bd7
• Exercises
• Database
• Outro
• Summary