Against the Catalan (Open, ...dxc4) is variation 5 of 6 in the Queen's Gambit Declined course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO E05). It runs 26 moves and begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 …. Against White's g3 and Bg2 set-up, Black takes on c4 and defends the extra pawn just long enough to gain time with ...a6 and ...b5. The b7 bishop then challenges White's g2 bishop on 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 – A flexible start that keeps both ...d5 and ...e6 options.
2. c4 – Gains queenside space.
2... e6 – Prepares ...d5 and opens the f8 bishop.
3. g3 – The Catalan: the light-squared bishop will press on d5 and b7 from g2.
3... d5 – Occupies the centre, transposing to a Queen's Gambit with g3.
4. Bg2 – The bishop takes the long diagonal.
4... dxc4 – The Open Catalan: Black takes the pawn, removing the d5 target and making White work to win it back.
5. Nf3 – Develops and covers e5, ready to win the pawn back.
5... Be7 – Calm development; Black castles next.
6. O-O – White castles.
6... O-O – Black castles.
7. Qc2 – Prepares to recapture on c4 with the queen.
7... a6 – Prepares ...b5 so that when the queen takes c4 it will be kicked with tempo.
8. Qxc4 – White wins the pawn back.
8... b5 – Gains queenside space with tempo on the queen.
The lesson goes on for 10 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM