Catalan Refined - Full Repertoire for White after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 

The camp Catalan Refined - Full Repertoire for White after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 is now available as a digital product! This comprehensive course includes all the videos from the camp as well as the PGN file related to the training sessions. The material consists of 10.5 hours of video and a PGN database with 172 files!

In the current course, you’ll find the following lectures:

✅3...c5 4.d5 - Repertoire against the Benoni - Part 1

✅3...c5 4.d5 - Repertoire against the Benoni - Part 2

✅3...Bb4+ 4.Bd2 - Fight the Bogo-Indian - Part 1

✅3...Bb4+ 4.Bd2 - Fight the Bogo-Indian - Part 2

✅3...d5 - Master the Catalan - Part 1

✅3...d5 - Master the Catalan - Part 2

✅3...d5 - Master the Catalan - Part 3

Besides providing you with a reliable repertoire for White, this course by Papaioannou will improve your overall chess understanding. As we know, the Spanish Game is the cornerstone of the chess strategy!

Now, we shall take a look at the different lectures.

3...c5 4.d5 - Repertoire against the Benoni - Part 1

In this opening lecture, GM Ioannis Papaioannou lays the groundwork for White’s fight against the Modern Benoni—a combative and structurally imbalanced defense that can catch unprepared players off guard.

The critical tabiya is reached after:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Bg2 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.0-0

Rather than diving into concrete lines from the start, Papaioannou begins with what truly matters—understanding the strategic and tactical landscape of the position. According to him, mastering this first is essential before memorizing variations.

He outlines three main philosophies for playing with White:

1. The "Old Plan" – Relying on Nd2 setups with central pawn advances like e4 and f4. While classical, modern practice shows Black finds good counterplay here.

2. The Modern Trend – Aiming for Bf4, then reacting flexibly depending on Black’s setup.

3. Papaioannou’s Preferred Approach – Using flexible waiting moves like Re1, h3, or a4 to remain non-committal and sidestep heavy theory, while preparing for an eventual central breakthrough on your terms.

🎯 This lecture doesn’t just teach lines—it builds your strategic intuition against one of Black’s most dangerous setups. By the end of it, you’ll have a practical framework for navigating the Modern Benoni from either side of the board.

SAMPLE EXAMPLE

3...c5 4.d5 - Repertoire against the Benoni - Part 2

Following the strategic groundwork laid in Lecture 1, this session is where theory meets practice.

In Lecture 2, GM Ioannis Papaioannou dives into the concrete theoretical lines of the Modern Benoni. This lecture transforms the positional and tactical principles previously introduced into practical weapons you can use over the board.

You’ll learn:

• How to neutralize Black’s dynamic counterplay

• How to implement ideas like a4, Re1, h3, and Bf4 in specific positions

• Which move orders can help you sidestep theory while still playing for an advantage

💡 This is where Papaioannou’s preferred approach—practical, flexible, and idea-driven—comes to life in real variations. You’ll see how deep understanding can outperform deep memorization, especially against ambitious opponents trying to surprise you with the Benoni.

A must-watch for anyone wanting to turn the Catalan vs. Benoni battle into one of your strengths.

SAMPLE EXAMPLE

3...Bb4+ 4.Bd2 - Fight the Bogo-Indian - Part 1

In this lecture, GM Ioannis Papaioannou introduces the fight against the Bogo-Indian Defense, starting from the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2

🔔 SUPER SOS: By choosing 3.g3! over the more typical 3.Nf3, we limit Black’s Bogo-Indian options and open the door to our e3–Ne2 development setup, which is both flexible and powerful.

Key ideas covered in this lecture:

• Why the move order matters: how 3.g3 makes the Bogo-Indian less effective

• Understanding the critical positions after 4...Bb4+ 5.Bd2, especially when Black doesn’t retreat with 4...Be7

• How to play for an opening advantage against genuine Bogo-Indian setups, not just Catalan transpositions

💡 Papaioannou warns: "Study the games very carefully!" — these model examples provide deep insight into typical plans, strategic themes, and how to punish Black's suboptimal lines.

A vital lecture for mastering this tricky sideline and building confidence against one of Black’s early surprises.

SAMPLE EXAMPLE

3...Bb4+ 4.Bd2 - Fight the Bogo-Indian - Part 2

Although this lecture continues under the title “Fight the Bogo-Indian – Part 2,” it actually dives deep into one of the most classical Catalan structures. After 3...Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Be7, we transpose to familiar Catalan territory.

Main Line:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Be7
5.Bg2 d5 6.Nf3 0-0 7.0-0 Nbd7 8.Qc2 c6 9.Rc1!?

This is where the refinement begins. The move 9.Rc1!? looks modest, but it's packed with strategic venom. The idea:

• Support Be1, after which the knight from b1 can develop comfortably.

• Prevent Black's standard queenside expansion with b6–Bb7, since the c-file is already occupied.

Papaioannou reveals a positional weapon against Black’s most solid setup:

• Black may gain kingside activity with ideas like …Ne4–f5–Bd6 or …Bf6, …g5, but…

• This kingside attack is speculative—launched with only half the army developed.

✅ The result is a rich strategic battle, where White applies positional pressure and invites Black to overextend. Exactly the type of struggle you want in this ultra-solid system.

SAMPLE EXAMPLE

3...d5 - Master the Catalan - Part 1

In this lecture, we step into the heart of the Catalan—the pure version, with a precise and practical twist.

The chosen move order:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2
…is more than just classical—it’s clever. Why? Because if Black grabs the pawn with 4...dxc4, White replies with 5.Qa4+, a tactic unavailable in the traditional Catalan where White plays 3.Nf3.

This detail gives us:

• A concrete tactical tool that immediately questions Black’s setup

• Early pressure, forcing opponents to make tough decisions from the start

• A psychological edge, as many players are unfamiliar with the nuances of this move order

GM Papaioannou shows how, in all the key lines, White can play for more than equality. The lecture blends strategic clarity with tactical punch, providing you with a practical, modern Catalan weapon right out of the opening.

SAMPLE EXAMPLE

3...d5 - Master the Catalan - Part 2

This lecture is devoted to one of the most strategically rich and flexible branches of the Catalan—the Open Catalan, reached via the following move order:

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4

In his previous Catalan camp, GM Papaioannou examined the classic continuation with Qxc4 followed by Bg5. In this lecture, however, he reveals the highly underrated power of a different approach—Qxc4 followed by Bf4.

Key points of this lecture:

• A conceptual system that doesn’t require heavy memorization

• Rich in positional subtleties and long-term pressure

• Multiple move-order nuances, giving White practical flexibility

• An approach that allows you to outplay opponents over the board, even without deep theoretical preparation

This is an ideal system for players who want understanding over memorization—you’ll learn how to steer the game into positions where plans matter more than moves.

SAMPLE EXAMPLE

3...d5 - Master the Catalan - Part 3

In this final lecture of the camp, GM Ioannis Papaioannou explores the Closed Catalan, a system that arises after:

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.0-0, followed by either 6...Nbd7 or 6...c6.

A key takeaway: move order matters. Papaioannou explains in detail why 6...c6 is the more precise and flexible option for Black—offering clearer routes to typical Catalan pawn structures.

True to his teaching style, the focus is not on memorizing concrete theory but on strategic understanding and recognizing the core ideas behind both sides’ plans. You’ll learn:

• How to build a repertoire based on deep understanding of structures

• Why concrete move orders can make a major difference

• The importance of model games in mastering this setup

📌 Don’t skip the model games section in this lecture—it is the cornerstone of learning how to handle these positions in practice.

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