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Normal Topic Catalan (Read 2931 times)
HgMan
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Re: Catalan
Reply #3 - 02/12/09 at 12:23:30
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If you're looking for all-out assaults, the Catalan isn't the best plan.  But once you understand the basic plans, White is typically able to build a viable positional advantage on the queenside, which does sometimes seem to "play itself."  That is not to say that it is easy to learn or play, but hard work would likely be rewarded.  I have been playing the Catalan consistently with White for several years in correspondence chess.  I think I'm right in saying that I have only once lost (I was completely outplayed by an opponent rated much higher than myself).  A fair number of draws, but I have won a lot of games against strong opposition, too...
  
"Luck favours the prepared mind."  --Louis Pasteur
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thibdb13
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Re: Catalan
Reply #2 - 02/10/09 at 13:20:15
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I consider myself as an attacking player and play the Catalan. The opening is quite easy to learn and if black does not know what he has to do, white can win very fast.
Now, when black knows what he is doing, you have to be (very) patient and as an attacking player you will be a bit frustrated. Nevertheless you are nearly sure you cannot lose with this opening.
In fact, I think a really attacking player should chose for the classical QG and the Nimzo with white. I am playing the Catalan because I feel easier against the QID and never really prepared for the Nimzo (I think it is easier to prepare for the complex Catalan/QID/Bogo than the Nimzo/QGD one but it is a personnal matter). I can also alternate my responses to the Slav: if black plays e6 quite early I can chose between g3 and Bg5.
  
Yusupov once said that “The problem with the Dutch Defence is that later in many positions the best move would be ...f5-f7” but he is surely wrong.
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nyoke
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Re: Catalan
Reply #1 - 02/10/09 at 12:39:31
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Not easy at all, but a rewarding opening for a certain type of player, namely the one who prefers to have the firweworks later in the game (or how should I put this ?)
  
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Zatara
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Catalan
02/10/09 at 05:28:37
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Hi all,
Thanks for reading.  I am wondering who the catalan is good for.  Is it playable if you are an "attacking player" or is taking on the Nimzo(say with f3 or Qc2) and say the exhcnage vs QGD better bets??  I have been told that the catalan "plays itself".  Is it "easy" to play??? or is the above easier to play?
Thanks,
Zatara
  
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