Fresh Directions in the Classical Catalan: Where Theory Meets Practice
When Magnus Carlsen defeats Fabiano Caruana with an underexplored idea favored by Daniil Dubov, the chess world takes notice. At Norway Chess 2025, Carlsen employed 8.Rd1 in the Classical Catalan—a move with barely 150 games in the database—and won convincingly. This isn't just a novelty; it's a signal that the critical battlegrounds of the Catalan are shifting, and that fresh understanding is waiting for those willing to look beyond the well-trodden paths.
Play the Catalan - Part 2 - 2025 Edition by GM Alexey Dreev and GM Pier Luigi Basso arrives at precisely this moment, where the Classical Catalan (4...Be7 5.Bg2 0-0) demands renewed attention. While Play the Catalan - Part 1 - 2025 Edition established the foundational Catalan systems, Part 2 confronts Black's most common and historically significant responses—the lines where theory runs deepest and where concrete preparation wins games. This isn't about mastering every variation; it's about understanding the character of each system and knowing which modern approaches, like Carlsen's 8.Rd1, are reshaping the landscape.
What Makes This Course Unique
Dreev and Basso have built this course around the modern trend of seeking fresh directions as early as possible. Rather than going back to exhausted theoretical debates, they focus on underexplored ideas with practical venom—lines that strong players are increasingly adopting to sidestep preparation. The inclusion of the Carlsen-Caruana game alongside Dubov's creative contributions exemplifies their approach: combine classical understanding with nowadays’ innovation, and show where the theory is actually moving rather than where it once stood.
The course structure reflects this philosophy. Each unit targets a specific system within the Classical Catalan, providing not just moves but the reasoning behind Black's setups and White's strategic responses. Dreev and Basso don't simply recommend lines—they explain the ideas, the typical plans, and the critical moments where understanding separates strong play from routine moves.
Coverage Map: The Classical Catalan Battlegrounds
7 Units, each divided into multiple chapters covering distinct variations:
Unit 1: 6th Move Sidelines
- 6...h6 (Praggnanandhaa's weapon against Ding)
- 6...Nc6
- 6...Ne4
- 6...b6 systems
Unit 2: Classical Closed Catalan
- 6...Nbd7 7.Qc2 c6 8.Nbd2 with e4 ideas
Unit 3: Modern Closed Catalan
- 6...c6 7.Qc2 b6 (flexible, concrete approaches)
- 7...c6 system (So-Mamedyarov, Candidates 2018)
Unit 4: The 6...a5 Complex
- 7.Qc2 c6 (traditional approach)
- 7...Nc6 (ambitious modern line)
- 7...a4 (Blohberger's recommendation)
- 7...Nbd7 (current main line: Murzin, Maghsodloo, Hakobyan)
Unit 5: The 7...a6 Main Line
- Classical 7.Qc2 a6 structures
- 7...b6 (featuring Giri-Predke, European Teams 2025)
Unit 6: The 7...b5 System
- Concrete, forcing continuation
Units 7: Deep Dives into Critical Subvariations
- Specialized lines and advanced ideas within the main systems
Course Features
Beyond the theoretical content, the course provides comprehensive training tools designed for serious study:
- 40 test positions to sharpen your tactical and positional judgment
- Basso's 15-minute introductory video distilling the course's core concepts
- Memory Booster for efficient retention of key variations
- To Go Version of every unit for quick study
- Complete video instruction walking through the critical ideas
Why These Authors
GM Alexey Dreev brings decades of elite-level Catalan experience, having employed the opening throughout his career against world-class opposition. His deep understanding of the positional nuances and typical plans provides the foundation for every recommendation. GM Pier Luigi Basso complements this with his analytical precision and awareness of contemporary trends, ensuring that the course reflects not just established theory but the direction in which modern practice is heading. Together, they've created a complete Catalan repertoire across both parts—one that addresses both the fundamental systems and the critical main lines where games are decided at the highest level.
The Classical Catalan remains one of the most theoretically demanding systems in chess, but with the right guidance, its complexity becomes an asset rather than an obstacle. When top-level games signal that underexplored ideas have merit, it's worth paying attention. Play the Catalan - Part 2 - 2025 Edition provides that guidance—showing you not just what to play, but why these ideas work and where the theory is genuinely alive.