Catalan Opening: Open Defense, Modern Sharp Variation
ECO E04 ยท Catalan Opening
The Catalan Opening: Open Defense, Modern Sharp Variation (E04) is a chess opening in the Catalan Opening family, played by Black. It arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Qa4 Bb4+.
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Qa4 Bb4+
About this opening
The Modern Sharp Variation (5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Qa4 Bb4+) is one of the most combative tries to keep the c4 pawn in the Open Catalan: Black develops actively and inserts a ...Bb4+ check to annoy White. The play becomes concrete and tactical, far from the Catalan's usual positional schemes. It is a sharp line where precision decides the advantage.