Catalan Opening: Closed
The Closed Catalan arises after 4...Be7 5.Nf3, where Black keeps the pawn on d5 instead of taking on c4. White wants pressure down the long diagonal from the g2 bishop and a later e4 break, while Black aims for a solid setup and a timely ...c5 or ...dxc4.
- Moves
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3
- ECO
- E06, E07, E08
- Engine
- +0.21 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,702 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 54.8%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Castle, then Qc2 and Rd1 or Nbd2, preparing e4 to open the center for the g2 bishop.
- Against ...b6 and ...Bb7, the engine line uses b3 and Nc3, keeping c4 protected and the bishop pair active.
- If Black takes on c4 later, Qc2 or Qa4+ regains the pawn, and a4 stops ...b5.
- Ne5 is a recurring jump, opening the long diagonal and hitting c6 or d7.
Black
- Castle first with 5...O-O. Black can then choose between ...dxc4 and the closed ...c6 setup.
- With ...c6, ...b6 and ...Bb7, Black solves the light bishop and holds d5 firmly.
- Prepare ...Nbd7 and then ...c5 or ...e5 to free the position once development is done.
- 5...dxc4 6.Qa4+ c6 7.Qxc4 b5 gains queenside space with tempo on the white queen.
Plans and pawn structure
This is a slow maneuvering position. White's long-term plan is e4, backed by Qc2, Rd1 and a knight on d2 or c3, so the g2 bishop bites on the a8-h1 diagonal. Black's problem piece is the c8 bishop, which goes to b7 after ...b6 or to d7 after ...dxc4 and ...a6. Black's freeing breaks are ...c5 and ...e5, usually after ...Nbd7. If Black gets one of these in without losing d5, the game is equal.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.21: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.21 5...O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4
- +0.29 5...c6 6.O-O O-O 7.Qc2 b6 8.b3
- +0.30 5...dxc4 6.Qa4+ c6 7.Qxc4 b5 8.Qd3
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,702 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.8%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Closed, Sokolsky Variation5...O-O · rare
How to play against it
As Black, castle, then pick one plan and stick to it: the ...c6, ...b6, ...Bb7 wall, or ...dxc4 with ...a6 to keep the pawn for a few moves. Do not play ...c5 before you have castled and developed. White's e4 push is the main threat, so keep pieces on d5 and e4.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.c4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.d4 O-O 6.O-O c6; 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 O-O 7.O-O c6 8.Bf4 b6; 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O c6 7.Qc2 b6 8.Nbd2 Bb7 9.e4 Na6.
Questions
What are the moves of the Catalan Opening: Closed?
The Catalan Opening: Closed starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3. Its ECO code is E06, E07, E08.
Is the Catalan Opening: Closed good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.21 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,702 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.8%. A good fit for patient players on both sides; White needs a feel for slow pressure and Black needs to know which freeing break to use.
What is the main idea of the Catalan Opening: Closed?
Both sides build quietly. White uses the g2 bishop and the e4 break to press, and Black holds d5, solves the c8 bishop with ...b6 and ...Bb7, and frees the game later with ...c5 or ...e5.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is O-O, with c6 and dxc4 close behind. 5...O-O finishes kingside development and keeps both ...dxc4 and ...c6 available for next move.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.