Top-Level Catalan Repertoire for White - Part 1 (6.5+ Hours Running Time) 

GM Ivan Cheparinov     April 7, 2023

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Content  (41 Articles)

Introduction and Free Preview  Free
Chapter 1 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 1 - Very rare 4th moves  Closed
Chapter 1 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 2 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 2 - 4...c5  Closed
Chapter 2 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 3 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 3 - 4...h6  Closed
Chapter 3 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 4 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 4 - 4...dc4 5.Bg2 b5  Closed
Chapter 4 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 5 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 5 - 4...dc4 5.Bg2 Nbd7  Closed
Chapter 5 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 6 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 6 - 4...dc4 5.Bg2 Bd7  Closed
Chapter 6 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 7 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 7 - 4...dc4 5.Bg2 c6  Closed
Chapter 7 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 8 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 8 - 4...dc4 5.Bg2 Nc6  Closed
Chapter 8 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 9 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 9 - 4...dc4 5.Bg2 c5  Closed
Chapter 9 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 10 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 10 - 4...dc4 5.Bg2 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 - 6...c5 (and rare moves)  Closed
Chapter 10 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 11 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 11 - 4...dc4 5.Bg2 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 - 6...a5  Closed
Chapter 11 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 12 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 12 - 4...dc4 5.Bg2 a6 - 6.0-0 b5  Closed
Chapter 12 - Memory Booster  Closed
Chapter 13 - Video Lecture  Closed
Chapter 13 - 4...dc4 5.Bg2 a6 - 6.0-0 Nc6  Closed
Chapter 13 - Memory Booster  Closed
Test Section  Closed

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Top-Level Catalan Repertoire for White - Part 1

GM-Ivan-Cheparinov-b78d8afbab

We are happy to inform you that GM Ivan Cheparinov is starting his next project - Catalan Opening for White. Being a huge Catalan expert himself, Cheparinov shares his cutting edge Catalan repertoire in two-part series.

The starting position of both databases arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3

diagram-1-e8d7b5260e

This is the starting position of the Catalan. The current database focuses mainly on the lines starting with 4...dxc4 which are extremely important. Cheparinov also deals with Black's rare options on move 4. The  main moves 4...Be7 followed by 5...0-0 and 4...Bb4+ will be analyzed in Part 2.

True to his analytical approach, Cheparinov always goes for ambitious and challenging continuations. Even though some of his recommendations are less explored, they create a lot of practical problems for the opponent. 

The database consists of 13 theoretical chapters, 15 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (6.5+ Hours Running Time).

In this short overview, we would like to pay attention at Cheparinov's recommendations against some of the critical lines that Black can choose.

In Chapter 9, the author covers the variation 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 c5 6.0-0 Nc6

diagram-2-ce49018acd

This position is extremely popular at the grandmaster level. The variation is considered to be very solid. Cheparinov shows that in the line 7.Qa4 Bd7 8.Qxc4 b5 9.Qd3 Black cannot achieve full equality.

Another very topical position arises after 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 

diagram-3-346ff00071

Now, Black's main move is 6...a5. In Chapter 10, Cheparinov proves that after 6...c5 7.Bxc4 cxb4 8.Ne5, White enjoys a lasting pressure.

Let's return to 6...a5 to which White responds with 7.Qc2.

diagram-4-61dde3c259

A safe option and well suited to play for a small advantage. Black is at crossroads here. Cheparinov analyzes 5 different moves for Black at this point. The main line goes 7...Bxd2 8.Qxd2 c6 9.a4 b5 (the popular 9...Ne4 is dealt with as well) 10.Na3!?

diagram-5-e477a58005

It turn out that this rare move creates more problems than the traditional 10.axb5. Deep analysis shows that Black fails to achieve complete equality.

A very serious option for Black is 4...dxc4 5.Bg2 a6

diagram-6-d2653591d0

Besides preparing ...b7-b5, this flexible move also makes ...Nc6 more favourable. After 6.0-0, Black has choice between 6...b5 and the main line 6...Nc6.

Chapter 12 is dedicated to the position arising after 6...b5 7.Ne5

diagram-7-7e2fc59271

Depending on what Black will play, White will undemine the queenside structure by playing either a2-a4 or b2-b3. Practice and analysis show that White enjoys more than sufficient compensation for the pawn.

The last Chapter 13 features the main line starting with 6...Nc6.

diagram-8-67568a3aed

In this position, Cheparinov suggests 7.a4 preventing ...b7-b5 and planning to regain the pawn. Deep analysis shows that Black faces practical problems in this line.

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