Open Catalan: 7.Qc2 a6, ...b5 holding try is variation 2 of 6 in the Catalan Opening course, a advanced opening course for White (ECO E05). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 …. The main line of the Open Catalan. Black takes c4 and tries to keep it with ...a6 and ...b5; White regains the pawn with Qxc4 and then pressures the queenside and the long diagonal. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre.
1... Nf6 – Black develops.
2. c4 – White gains space.
2... e6 – Prepares ...d5.
3. Nf3 – Develops and keeps options open for g3.
3... d5 – Black takes the centre.
4. g3 – The Catalan fianchetto.
4... Be7 – Black develops quietly and castles next.
5. Bg2 – The bishop goes to the long diagonal.
5... O-O – Black castles.
6. O-O – White castles, offering the c4-pawn.
6... dxc4 – Black takes the pawn: the Open Catalan.
7. Qc2 – The queen attacks c4 and controls e4; White will regain the pawn.
7... a6 – Black prepares ...b5 to try to hold the extra pawn.
8. Qxc4 – White takes back at once, before ...b5 can protect the pawn.
8... b5 – Black gains space with tempo and prepares ...Bb7.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM