Exercise 9.1Find the move
Black to move
White has set up the Catalan. Play Black's main move.
9
A Black Repertoire: Scandinavian and QGD · Kapilash Chess Academy
Against the Catalan
Take on c4 and hold the pawn
In this lesson you will learn
- What the Catalan is: g3 and ♗g2
- The plan ...dxc4, ...a6 and ...b5
- Developing the bishop to b7 to fight the g2-bishop
- When White sacrifices the pawn
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9.1 The Catalan Bishop
In the Catalan, White fianchettoes the bishop on g2, aiming at Black's queenside. A good answer is to take on c4 and try to hold the pawn with ...a6 and ...b5, then develop the bishop to b7 to oppose White's bishop.
Diagram 9.1Black to move
Example 9.1 · ...dxc4 and ...b5
White has castled. Black's d-pawn can take on c4.
Black takes on c4, gains time with ...a6 and ...b5 against the white queen, and puts the bishop on b7. The bishops on g2 and b7 face each other along the long diagonal. Black's next moves are ...♘bd7 and ...c5.
Diagram 9.2White to move
Example 9.2 · 7.♘e5
White can also try to win the pawn back with the knight.
Against 7.♘e5 Black strikes with 7...c5, opening the position. White will regain the pawn, but Black's pieces develop freely.
Remember
- Against the Catalan, take on c4.
- Use ...a6 and ...b5 to gain time against the queen.
- Put the bishop on b7 to oppose the g2-bishop.
- Then ...♘bd7 and ...c5.
Exercises · Lesson 9
Each exercise comes from a position in this repertoire. Find the best move, then play it on the board.
Exercise 9.2Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 10.♕xc7. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 9.3Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 10.♕xh7+. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 9.4Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 10.♘b5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 9.5Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 10.♘e4. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 9.6Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 9.♘h4. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 9.7Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 9.♘g5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 9.8Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 8.♘e4. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 9.9Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 9.♘c3. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 9.10Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 9.♗g5. How does Black punish it?
Exercise 9.11Find the move
Black to move
White has just played 9.♘e5. How does Black punish it?