1.d4 According to Dreev - Play the Catalan - Part 1
GM Alexey Dreev and GM Pier Luigi Basso
We are excited to announce Part 4 of the 1.d4 According to Dreev series: Play the Catalan - Part 1!
In this course, GMs Alexey Dreev and Pier Luigi Basso present an extremely creative and challenging repertoire for White in the Catalan Opening, focusing on Black’s most concrete responses: 4...dxc4 and 4...c5. This cutting-edge database offers practical solutions, deep understanding, and a unique learning structure to help you confidently navigate these critical lines.
If you missed the earlier parts of the series, you can explore them here:
👉 Part 1 - Fighting the King's Indian Defense
👉 Part 2 - Fighting the Grünfeld Defense
👉 Part 3 - Setups with ...c7-c5
A Revolutionary Structure for Learning
This course introduces a fresh approach to studying complex openings, dividing the material into 7 units, each further broken into Positions:
- Units: Provide an extensive overview and practical analysis, ensuring you’re ready to play the lines after studying the unit summaries.
- Positions: Offer a deeper dive into critical variations, helping you fully internalize the theory and ideas.
This method, developed and refined by GM Dreev over years of teaching, prioritizes the most important aspects of the Catalan while offering detailed insights into the subtleties of the positions.
Why Play the Catalan?
GM Dreev outlines three pillars for mastering the Catalan:
- Choosing the right path: With multiple strategic options, it’s vital to pick the direction that aligns with your style.
- Outsmarting your opponents: This repertoire guides you into less-explored positions where opponents must think on their feet instead of relying on memorized theory.
- Understanding the ideas: Deep knowledge of the underlying concepts equips you to handle any arising position confidently.
What’s Inside the Course?
- 7 units, systematically breaking down Black’s most concrete responses: 4...dxc4 and 4...c5.
- A Memory Booster, helping you solidify and recall key ideas.
- 30 interactive test positions, sharpening your practical skills.
- A Video Version featuring 4 hours and 43 minutes of expert instruction.
- Basso’s signature 15-minute repertoire video, summarizing the main ideas for quick implementation.
Praise from GM Pier Luigi Basso
GM Pier Luigi Basso remarks:
"I was truly impressed that Alexey Dreev didn’t simply update existing theory but instead constructed an entirely new framework for the Catalan. This repertoire is groundbreaking, offering ideas that will stand the test of time. Working on this database with Alexey was incredibly inspiring, and I’m certain it will inspire you too."
With Part 1, you’ll be ready to face Black’s most concrete lines in the Catalan. Stay tuned for Part 2, where GMs Dreev and Basso will tackle systems like 4...Be7 and 4...Bb4+, completing this exceptional repertoire.