Englund Gambit for White & Black: A Complete Guide (A40)

  

Englund Gambit
Explore the Possibilities

The Englund Gambit (1. d4 e5?!)

A daring chess opening that throws traditional positional play out the window.

 Black offers a pawn for rapid development and tactical possibilities, creating an imbalanced but exciting game.

 While not considered sound opening theory for White to accept, the Englund Gambit can be a powerful weapon in the right hands.

Englund Gambit Wikipedia Page

 ( An Interesting , if suspect opening against guys who like to play the London.)

Main Variations

• 2.1 Blackburne–Hartlaub Gambit (1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 d6 )
• 2.2 Soller Gambit
• 2.3 Felbecker Gambit
• 2.4 Zilbermints Gambit
• 2.5 Englund Gambit main line

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Books (Free)

Beat Bad & Pesky Openings - FREE Chessable Course - ( 9 Trainable lines on Defeating the Englund - Chapter 8)

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Englund Gambit Articles

Dealing with the Englund - Chessbase Article - Matthew Lunn analyses and explains how to counter a dubious gambit

Englund Gambit Full Guide - 365Chess.com - Very nice opening Guide w/ Links to Games

Exploring the Englund Gambit Against 1.d4 - GM Igor Smirnov - Nice Article w/ Lessons on several gambits, 3 Deeply Annotated games and a 12 Min Embedded Video.

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LiChess Studies

Englund Gambit Traps - 7 Chapter Study

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Games Databases

Analyze real-life Englund Gambit games from masters to see how theory translates into practical play.

365Chess.com

A40 Queen's pawn, Charlick (Englund) gambit - 1000 Games 

Chessgames.com

Englund Gambit-White wins - 7 Games 

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Englund Gambit Video Lessons

WIN IN 8 MOVES: The Englund Gambit - 35 Min - GothamChess - A comprehensive guide on the Englund Gambit. The video includes theoretical explanations, subscriber games, and practical tips for playing the Englund Gambit successfully.

The Extremely Dodgy ENGLUND GAMBIT 24 Min Kingcrusher - in-depth analysis of the Englund Gambit. It explores various lines and traps associated with the gambit, highlighting its potential for quick victories as well as its inherent dangers, key moves, and strategic ideas.
    The Englund Gambit | Mainline and Traps | Chess Openings | IM Andrey Ostrovskiy - 10 Min How To Play: The Englund Gambit | ChessKid - 5 Min - Learn how to play and win with the Englund Gambit. FunMasterMike even has a few tricks up his sleeves on how to stop this opening. (Beginner) (New - 5/29/24)

 Chess Tips: Chessbrah Aman's Undefeated Opening for Black! Scary Englund Gambit!! -42 Min IM Miodrag Perunovic - a comprehensive guide on how to play the gambit, including various lines and responses to White’s moves. (Video below)

Zilbermints Gambit

• CHESS GAMBITS : COUNTER TO THE ZILBERMINTS GAMBIT - 10 Min
  
  
• Play Chess #10: Englund Gambit Complex: Zilbermints Gambit. 2100 Elo - 4 Min
  
  
• Blackburne–Hartlaub Gambit - 15 Min - IM Greg Shahade and hermansteiner on ICC featuring the Blackburne Gambit in the Phildor Defense/Blackburne-Hartlaub Gambit

Englund Gambit Traps

• Chess Opening: Englund Gambit 1.d4 e5 | Traps and Ideas - 18 Min -  IM Asaf Givon explains how to play this opening for both White and Black sides. He explains how to set traps as Black and how to avoid them as White. Therefore, this video is like a comprehensive repertoire for Englund Gambit.
  
  
• Englund Gambit Opening Trap That Doesn't Work! 95k made this chess opening mistake against d4 - 7 Min  NM Lopez - The exact opening moves and ideas that both white and black players need to be aware of in the Englund gambit in the queen's pawn opening. There are many opening tricks and traps, but I will show you the proper chess tactics and strategies to win in this opening.
  
  
• Traps in the Englund Gambit (1.d4 e5?!) - 10 Min
  
  
• Englund Gambit Traps, Moves & Ideas | Best Checkmate Strategy - 6 Min

Playing Against the Englund

• Destroy your Opponent when He plays Englund Gambit -20 Min - how you win against Black's Englund Gambit and win very fast out of this chess opening by following suggested chess moves, tricks, strategy and traps.
  
  
• Avoid the Tricky Englund Gambit - 10 Min
  
  

Game Videos w/ Analysis

This Englund Gambit Queen Sacrifice is TOO STRONG - 21 Min IM Rosen

Master Class | Ending The Englund Gambit | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 30 Min

I can't stop winning with the Englund Gambit - 8 Min GM Aman Hambleton

Is the Englund Gambit a Meme Opening? - 40 Min GM Nakamura

TESTING AMAN'S UNDEFEATED OPENING | GM Eric Hansen - 11 Min

UNDEFEATED OPENING? | GM Aman Hambleton - 24 Min

Mastering the Bishop's Opening (C23-C24): A Comprehensive Guide

Control the Center
 The Power of the Bishop's Opening

 

Tired of the Ruy Lopez?
 Looking for a solid yet surprising opening for White?

  The Bishop's Opening (1. e4 e5 2. Bc4)
 offers a unique path to control the center and launch powerful attacks! 

  The Bishop's Opening is not as popular as some other openings, but it can be a good choice for players who want to control the center of the board and play for a solid, positional advantage.

The Bishop's Opening can lead to closed, positional positions, and is a good choice for players who prefer a more measured, strategic approach to the game.

 Black has a number of options for responding to the Bishop's Opening

• Ruy Lopez with 2...Nc6
• Two Knights Defense with 2...Nf6
• Berlin Defense with 2...Nf6 3. d3

This comprehensive guide equips you with everything you need to master this opening, from free articles to video lessons! Become a Bishop's Opening expert and confuse your opponent's today!

Bishop's Opening Wikipedia Page

C23 Sub-variants:

Bishop's opening

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4

Bishop's opening, Philidor counter-attack

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 c6

Bishop's opening, Lisitsyn variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 c6 3. d4 d5 4. exd5 cxd5 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Bxd7+ Nxd7 7. dxe5 Nxe5 8. Ne2

Bishop's opening, Calabrese counter-gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 f5

Bishop's opening, Calabrese counter-gambit, Jaenisch variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 f5 3. d3

Bishop's opening, Classical variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5

Bishop's opening, Lopez gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. Qe2 Nc6 4. c3 Nf6 5. f4

Bishop's opening, Philidor variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3

Bishop's opening, Pratt variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 d5 6. exf6 dxc4 7. Qh5 O-O

Bishop's opening, Lewis counter-gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3 d5

Bishop's opening, del Rio variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3 Qg5

Bishop's opening, Lewis gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. d4

Bishop's opening, Wing gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. b4

Bishop's opening, MacDonnell double gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. b4 Bxb4 4. f4

Bishop's opening, Four pawns' gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. b4 Bxb4 4. f4 exf4 5. Nf3 Be7 6. d4 Bh4+ 7. g3 fxg3 8. O-O gxh2+ 9. Kh1

C24 Sub-variants:

Bishop's opening, Berlin defence

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6

Bishop's opening, Greco gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. f4

Bishop's opening, Ponziani gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4

Bishop's opening, Urusov gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3

Bishop's opening, Urusov gambit, Panov variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3 d5 5. exd5 Bb4+ 6. c3 Qe7

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BOOKS (Free)

Short & Sweet: Bishop's Opening - FREE Chessable Course -  21 Trainable Variations w/ 1hr & 18 Min of Video (IM Miodrag Perunovic)

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Bishops Opening Chess ARTICLES

Overall Strategy & Concepts:

• The Bishop’s Opening – How to Play It as White and Black - Chessable Blog Opening Guide, Detailed overview of the opening w/ some traps and Lines
  
  
• Bishop’s Opening: Complete Guide - ChessWorld - Opening Guide w/ 2 Annotated Games and embedded 30 Min Video from GM Damien Lemos
  
  
• Bishop’s Opening (Simple and Powerful)  - Remote Chess Academy  (Article w/ 22 Min Video and  3 Very Detailed Annotated games in Lichess Study Format)
  

Specific Variations & Gambits:

• The Jerome Gambit Blog ( All about this one Gambit over 2000 posts???) 
  1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ ...and related lines 
  (risky/Non risky lines, tactics & psychology for fast, exciting play)
  
  
• The Urusov Gambit - Huge Simplify Chess Page (Explaining every Move)

Learning from the Masters:

• Magnus Carlsen’s Bishop’s Opening - Blog Articles 2018 -  Game analysis of a Carlson game vs. Caruana, Historical Context and a 22Min Embeeded Video from GM Daniel King about the Game.
  
  
• Openings for Tactical Players: the Bishop's Opening. - GM Gregory Serper -  Analysis and Puzzles from 4 Famous Games.

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GAMES DATABASES

Level up your Bishop's Opening repertoire with thousands of games at your disposal! Here are some of the best online databases to explore and analyze Bishop's Opening games (C23-C24):

365Chess.com 

• C23: Bishop's opening 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 - 16,000 Games ( Broken into  15 sub-varients)
  
  
• C24: Bishop's opening, Berlin defence 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 - 11,000 Games (Broken into 5 Sub-Varients)

Chessgames.com 

• Bishop's Opening (C23-C24) - 2243 games 
• C24 Urusov-Gambit  - 51 Game Collection

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Bishop's Opening LiChess Studies

Take your Bishop's Opening knowledge to the next level with interactive LiChess studies! These studies allow you to explore variations move-by-move, test your understanding, and solidify key concepts.

Comprehensive Studies:

• The Bishop Opening - 20 Chapter Study  - Real nice study of belin and Classical w/ other sidelines
  
  
• Opening Studies (Bishop's Opening) - 8 Chapter Study  (All Annotated Games) Each game a different Variation.

Focusing on Specific Variations:

• Bishop's opening  - 10 Chapter Study  (583 hearts) - Mainly the Gambits
  
  
• Bishop's Openings for Beginners  - 12 Chapter Study - Nice list of the different gambit openings.
  
  
• Urusov gambit - Huge In-depth Study with 55 Chapters - Deep dive into the Different variations of the Gambit down to lines at Move 7 with Model games at the end of the study.

LiStudy (Lichess Move Order trainer)

Bishop's Opening - 2 Studies Here you Can Practice.

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Bishop's Opening Chess Video Lessons

Playlists

• Bishops Opening (5 Video Playlist) IM Miodrag Perunovic (Over 2.5 Hrs) - A thorough exploration of the Bishop's Opening by an experienced chess instructor. (Great for intermediate and advanced players)
  
  
• Bishop's Opening - Ideas, Traps, and Everything!  - 23 Video playlist - GM Igor Smirnov - An in-depth course by a Grandmaster, covering strategic concepts, tactical opportunities, and common pitfalls. (Excellent for all levels)
  
  

Bishop's Opening (Sneaky Good Attack) - 20 Min 

Opening Basics #19: Bishop's opening - 18 Min

The Modern Bishop's Opening | White's Response against the Two Knights Defense | IM Alex Astaneh - 33 Min

How to play against the bishops opening - 14 Min

Urusov Gambit - Deep Dives

The Unbeatable Urusov Gambit - Chess Openings Explained - 49 Min (St Louis CC Lesson) - Jonathan Schrantz - A detailed explanation of the gambit's potential and Black's challenges.

Chess Opening: Urusov Gambit - 17 Min

Diving Deep into Urusov Gambit Theory - 13 Min

The Urusov Gambit | Attacking Gambit in the Bishop's Opening IM Andrey Ostrovskiy - 12 Min

Chess Openings: Smash 'em with The Urusov Gambit!! - 44 min IM Miodrag Perunovic - In-depth analysis of the Urusov Gambit. Discusses various responses to the gambit, highlighting the importance of development and initiative in chess.

Human Defeats Stockfish with Urusov Gambit - 11 min Johnathan Schrantz

Dirty Chess Tricks 14 (Urusov Gambit Declined) - 14 Min
Dirty Chess Tricks 15 (Urusov Gambit Accepted) - 27 Min

The Original URUSOV GAMBIT Surprised a Future World Champion | Chess History Explained - 17 Min

Smothered Mate and an Urusov Gambit | Viewers' Choice - GM Yasser Seirawan - 50 Min

Chess Tips: How To Play The Dangerous Urusov Gambit?  - 67 Min Maurice Bishop

Alterman GGuide The Urusov Gambit part1 - 34 Min 
Alterman GGuide The Urusov Gambit part2 - 33 min

Ponziani Gambit

• Win Fast with The Bishops Opening! Ponziani Gambit!! - 17 Min IM Miodrag Perunovic
  
  

Greco Gambit

• Chess Opening Tricks to WIN Fast | Greco Gambit Traps, Moves, Strategies & Ideas - 7 Min
  
  
• GRECO GAMBIT OPENING!!! CARLSEN vs SOCKO -  7 Min

4 Pawns Gambit

• Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Four Pawns Gambit! - 6 Min
  
  
• Human Beats Stockfish with FOUR PAWNS GAMBIT - 13 Min

Lewis Gambit

• PREVIEW: Gambit Guide - Bishop's Opening, Lewis Gambit - 4 Min
  
  
• Dirty Chess Tricks 13 (Lewis Gambit) - 18 Min
  
  
• What is the Lewis Gambit? | Harrison Keyser Plays The People!  -  3 min
  
  

Calabrese Counter Gambit

Calabrese Counter Gambit against Bishop's Opening - 21 Min - It counters the bishop's opening with 2...f5, as we also do against the Italian or Spanish. It's a rarely-seen but effective response for the aggressive player.

Bishops Opening Chess Traps

Elevate your tactical awareness with videos exploring common traps and winning opportunities in the Bishop's Opening. (Great for all levels)

• 5 Best Chess Opening Traps in the Bishop’s Opening - 11 Min GM Igor Smirnov
  
  
• 4 Quick Checkmates In The Bishop’s Opening - 11 Min GM Igor Smirnov
  
  
• Top 5 Traps to WIN Fast in the Bishop's Opening - 16 Min GM Igor Smirnov
  
  
• Episode 2 of High Probability Traps! Chess Traps to WIN Fast: Bishops Opening Tricks and Ideas - 12 Min - NM Nelson Lopez - I will show you all the traps for white in this Bishop's Opening variation. I will also show you the best chess tactics and ideas that white should be aware of and how to counter blacks best opening plans to gain an advantage in the opening.

Game Videos (W/Analysis)

Bishop's Opening  - 10 Video Playlist  - kingscrusher  (Famous games)
Bishop's Opening - 16 Video Playlist - agadmantor

Amazing BULLETPROOF Approach in Bishops Opening!! - 11 min - IM Miodrag Perunovic - Guy beats IM in 15 Moves in Classical with Bishop's opening. (New - 6/5/2024)

Magnus Carlsen strikes with the Bishop’s Opening! - 22 Min

Chess Tips: Play The Bishops Opening Like Kasparov!! 2...Nc6 - 36 Min  IM Miodrag Perunovic 

Finally Had Chance to Play Bishops Opening in Real Tournament! All Wins!!  - 16 Min  - IM Miodrag Perunovic

Dubov plays the Urusov Gambit, or Dubusov? || Dubov vs Giri - 13 Min

"In order to avoid playing the opening theory,
 you need to study A LOT of opening theory." - Peter Svidler

Catalan (E00 - E09) - Opening Theory

 

Crack the Code:
Mastering the Catalan Chess Opening

       The Catalan Opening offers a flexible and rewarding path for 1.d4 players. White fianchettoes the light-squared bishop, aiming for long-term positional pressure and dynamic possibilities. Whether you prefer a closed or open Catalan, this guide equips you with the tools to excel!

Why Study the Catalan?

• Solid Foundation: Gain a strong opening repertoire for White, built on sound positional principles.
• Rich Strategic Play: Develop a deep understanding of maneuvering and creating long-term pressure.
• Tactical Prowess: Sharpen your tactical skills by exploring the wealth of hidden opportunities within the Catalan.

Dive into the Depths of the Catalan with these Top Resources:

Wikipedia Page (Catalan)

The Catalan is a chess opening where White adopts a combination of the

Queen's Gambit and Réti Opening: White plays d4 and c4 and fianchettoes the white bishop on g2. A common opening sequence is 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3, although the opening can arise from various move orders.

E01 Catalan, closed   1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2

E02 Catalan, open, 5.Qa41. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+

E03 Catalan, open, Alekhine variation  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Qxc4 a6 7. Qc2

E04 Catalan, open, 5.Nf31. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3

E05 Catalan, open, classical line   1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 Be7

E06 Catalan, closed,   5.Nf31. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3

E07 Catalan, closed,   6...Nbd71. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O Nbd7

E08 Catalan, closed,   7.Qc21. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Qc2

E09 Catalan, closed, main line   1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Qc2 c6 8. Nbd2

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BOOKS (Free)

Internet Archive

Flank Openings: A Study of Réti's Opening, The Catalan, English and King's Indian Attack Complex (Fourth Edition) by R. D. Keene - 193 Page PDF

Chessable Courses FREE

• Short & Sweet: Catalan for Black -  21 Variations  w/ 72 Min Video - IM Tor Fredrik Kaasen - In this Short & Sweet course, you have a bite-size guide to start facing the Catalan with confidence and learn the ways to take over as Black.
   
• Short & Sweet: Shankland's Neo-Catalan - - 22 variations w/76 Min Video - GM Sam Shankland - gives you 16 unique starter lines to get you playing Catalan-style setups without having to commit to the traditional Catalan and the d2-d4 pawn push.
   
• Short & Sweet: Alonso's Catalan - 12 Variations w/ 35 Min Video - GM Alvar Alanso Rosell - The perks of the 1.d4 move order. How to handle dynamic structures. State-of-the-art theory. 
  
  
• Short & Sweet: Srinath's Catalan - 25 Variations w/ 2 hr Video - GM Srinath Narayanan - Even if you don’t want to play the Catalan, this free course is a must-have for anyone who plays 1. d4, 2. c4. That’s because, as well as the Catalan proper, it gives you weapons against many of black’s most annoying defences - like the KID, Dutch, Benko and Benoni.

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Catalan Chess Articles

• Chess Opening Basics: The Catalan Opening  - Chessable Blog Opening Guide _ In depth Guide talking about strategys, the open and Closed catalan variations, blacks options as well.
• 5 Reasons to Play the Catalan - WGM Raluca Sgircea, IM Renier Castellanos - some reasons why it could be the right choice for you.
  
• Catalan Opening - Total Guide for Beginners - GM Marion Petrov - History, Principals, weaknesses, theory and Black responces.
• Catalan Opening: Complete Guide - Im Zaur Tekeyev - Talks about Blacks responses and yours with the Catalan.
• How to Play the Catalan Opening: Ideas And Variations - Chess for Sharks -  Open, closed and successful deployments.

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Catalan LiChess Studies

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

• Catalan opening - 63 Chapter Study - his comprehensive study delves into a massive 63 chapters, covering everything from various Catalan lines and pawn structures to defensive strategies, tactics, model games, and even endgames. (Study at top of Page ) (400 hearts) 
  
  
• Catalan Repertoire - 12 Chapter Study - (150 hearts) If you're looking for a more concise exploration of both the Open and Closed Catalan variations, this 12-chapter study offers clear explanations.
  
  
• The Basic Catalan - 11 Chapter Study  (1100 hearts) - This highly-rated study offers a solid foundation in the core principles of the Catalan Opening.
  
  
• Catalan  - 64 Chapter Study  (Super In-depth)  (1450 hearts) An incredibly detailed 64-chapter exploration of the Catalan, perfect for players seeking an exhaustive understanding.

LiStudy Move Practice Page 

In addition to the strategic studies, Lichess also offers an interactive "Move Practice" section to help you solidify the Catalan's key variations. Check out:

• Basic Catalan -  11 Chapters 
• Open Catalan  - 10 Chapters

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Games Databases

Examining real chess games is a fantastic way to solidify your understanding of theoretical concepts and strategic ideas. Here are some valuable databases to delve into Catalan games:

365Chess.com 

E01: Catalan, closed - 73oo games
E02: Catalan, open, 5.Qa4 - 509 Games
E03: Catalan, open, Alekhine variation - 50 Games
E04: Catalan, open, 5.Nf3 - 7000 Games
E05: Catalan, open, classical line - 472 Games
E06: Catalan, closed, 5.Nf3 - 12,700 Games
E07: Catalan, closed, 6...Nbd7 - 2429 Games
E08: Catalan, closed, 7.Qc2 - 1676 Games
E09: Catalan, closed, main line - 1800 Games

Chessgames.com

Catalan, Closed (E01-E09) - 18 Annotated Games

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Catalan Chess Puzzles

Sharpen Your Tactical Skills with Catalan Chess Puzzles

wtharvy.com

Catalan, Open, 5.Qa4+ (ECO E02) - 13 Puzzles
Catalan, Open, 5.Nf3 (ECO E04) - 14 Puzzles
Catalan, Open, Classical line (ECO E05) - 19 Puzzles
Catalan, Closed, 5.Nf3 (ECO E06) - 15 Puzzles
Catalan, Closed (ECO E09) - 11 Puzzles

LiChess Opening's Puzzles 

Catalan Opening  - 1451 Puzzles  (All Variations)
Catalan Opening: Closed - 731 Puzzles
Catalan Opening: Open Defense - 355 Puzzles
Catalan Opening: Closed Variation, Rabinovich Variation - 44 Puzzles

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Catalan Chess Video Lessons

Playlists

• Catalan Opening Series - 12 Video Playlist - Hanging Pawns - This in-depth series delves into the Catalan across nearly 5 hours of video content.
  
  
• How to play the Catalan | Catalan Opening Explained - 4 Video Playlist - IM Andrey Ostrovkiv -  a clear explanation of the Catalan in this 4-part video course.

Lessons

GM Neiksans Boot Camp #26 - Catalan Opening - 3.5 Hr Stream Recorded - In this GM Neiksans Boot Camp edition, he explains the key concepts of the variation!

Understanding the Catalan Opening | ft. GM Srinath Narayanan - 1.75 hr - Full Q&A Stream with IM Sagar Shah -Gain insights from a Grandmaster! This session features GM Srinath Narayanan discussing the Catalan's intricacies.

The Open Catalan Opening | Basic Plans, Ideas & Strategies | IM Andrey Ostrovskiy - 33 Min - Focus on the Open Catalan with IM Ostrovskiy's strategic guidance.

Catalan Opening | Chess Lesson # 124 - 25 Min NM Ramirez -  playing the “lazy” Catalan, which is an interesting approach for anyone to start getting exposure to the main ideas without having to memorize a lot of theory.

The Catalan Opening by Kestony Kazlenas on CoChess.com - 63 Min -  in-depth analysis of the Catalan Opening in chess, emphasizing its strategic advantages and variations. The lesson covers the Closed Catalan, where black plays c6, and the Open Catalan, where black accepts the gambit.

Open Catalan: Interesting Opening Idea by Chessable Author NM Bryan Tillis - 13 Min - covering a rare line in the Open Catalan.
Catalan Opening: Why Bd6 is bad?! - 9 Min - NM Bryan Tillis -  NM Tillis shows a key idea in the Catalan. Why is Bd6 simply bad?

Opening Basics #48: Catalan Opening - part 1 - 35 Min - Jims chess channel - This first episode looks at the Open Catalan, and contains a sample game, Vladimir Kramnik vs. Alexander Morozevich from the 2007 FIDE World Championship
Opening Basics #49: Catalan Opening - part 2 - 40 Min - Jim's Chess Channel - the Catalan opening with a discussion of the closed Catalan. Features two more games of Vladimir Kramnik

Strategic Basics of the Catalan | Opening Lab  - 11 Min  - Chess Dojo - Dive into strategic decision-making in the Catalan, specifically when to capture on d5 in the Closed Catalan.

Super-GM Teaches an IM | Part 2: The Closed Catalan - 24 Min - Chess Dojo - Witness a Super-GM in action! Watch GM Shankland coach an IM on handling a Closed Catalan position.

Catalan Opening: Best Opening To Gain Advantage From The Start! - 33 Min -While the claim of gaining an advantage from the start might be a bit optimistic, this video explores the benefits of the Catalan Opening for White, including its versatility and ability to avoid complex theoretical variations.

Black  vs the Catalan

• Fighting the Catalan | Chess Openings Explained - NM Caleb Denby - 57 Min -Learn about the three main variations of the open Catalan.

• Chess Openings for Black 😲 Dealing with Catalan Sidelines with GM Jan Gustafsson - 18 Min -Learn how to handle some tricky Catalan sidelines from Black's point of view with GM Gustafsson's guidance.
  
  
• Closed Catalan System ♟ Chess Openings for Black - IM Ostrovskiy - 27 Min - IM Ostrovskiy explores the Closed Catalan from Black's perspective, highlighting its solidity and potential for dynamic play.
  
  
• How to face the Catalan  - 20 Min - Robert Plunkets Chess Lab - discusses strategies for both the open and closed Catalan, emphasizing the importance of theoretical knowledge and accurate play. The presenter highlights the Catalan’s positional soundness and the challenges it poses for black, offering specific moves and responses to common variations played by white.
  
  
• How To Play The Anti-Catalan Opening From The Black Side - 26 Min - will discuss one of the best replies to play against the Catalan Opening with the Black pieces.

Catalan Chess Traps

• Catalan Opening Traps to WIN FAST - 10 Min - IM Rosen - Explore some tricks, traps, and creative ideas in the Catalan Opening with WFM Lile Koridze.
  
  
• Catalan Opening: Best Tactical Secrets with IM Mat Kolosowski - 25 Min -Sharpen your tactical vision in the Catalan with IM Kolosowski's focus on forks, a common tactical motif in this opening.

Catalan Game Videos (W/Analysis)

Catalan Opening  - 34 Video Playlist  - agamator's Chess Channel
Catalan Opening  - 27 Video Playlist - Chess School

IM Bartholomew vs. shanya (Catalan Opening) - 42 Min
IM Bartholomew vs. IM scacho (Catalan Opening) - 16 Min

IM softrain vs. IM Bartholomew (Catalan Opening) - 20 Min
IM Bartholomew vs. IM Lawrence Trent (Catalan Opening) - 20 Min
The Killer Catalan Opening! : Boris Gelfand vs Teimour Radjabov - 31 min 
Kramnik Wins with the Catalan! | Road to 2000 - NM Caleb Denby - 60 Min

NM Bryan Tillis
Dirty Catalan Bb4+ : Chess Series Video 1  - 9 Min
Catalan Carlsen Gambit  - 9 Min
Is The Catalan Good? Game 3  - 9 Min
Easy Play Against The Closed Catalan - 9 Min

Minority Attack (Chess Strategy)

 

Harnessing the Minority Attack: Strategic Insights

Explore the tactical brilliance of the minority attack in chess.

Learn how to strategically deploy fewer pawns against an opponent's majority, creating structural weaknesses and gaining a competitive edge.

With comprehensive resources, including articles, annotated games, and video analyses, master this essential maneuver to outmaneuver your opponents.

The purpose of a minority attack is to favorably change the pawn structure with the intention of creating a structural weakness (e.g., a backward pawn or isolated pawn) for an opponent. A classic example of a minority attack often occurs in the Carlsbad Pawn Structure:

Bishop's Bounty Carlsbad Pawn Structure Page

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Minority Attack Articles

• Middlegame Motifs, by Nigel Davies: The Minority Attack - Free Chess Cafe Article
  
  
• Countering the Minority Attack: Capablanca's Maneuver - Nigel Davies - 8 page PDF
  
  
• The Minority Attack – a Pawn Chess Strategy - Chess expert Strategy Article
  
  
• Simple but Effective: Minority Attack -  Thorough Analysis of a Game
  
  
• Who's afraid of the Big Bad Minority attack? - Exeter Chess Club Article (Lots of Games)
  
  
• Minority Attack - Chess.com Article

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LiChess Studies

• The Minority Attack - 7 Chapter Study - How to reach from different Openings w/ example games
  
  
• The Minority Attack - 7 Chapter Study w/games - How top playes employed it and defended against it.
  
  
• Endgame Exploration 3: Minority Attack - 7 Chapter Study w/games
  
  
• Carlsbad structure: Minority Attack - 4 Chapter Study w/games
  
  

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

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Minority Attack Videos

The Minority Attack | Chess Middlegames - 12 Min

Chess-How to play the Minority-Attack? - Karpov on Strategy 7, GM Ján Markoš - 18 Min

Pawn Structure 101:Minority Attack - 10 Min IM Daniel Rensch

Minority Attack! | Pawn Structure - GM Yasser Seirawan- 35 Min - Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan discusses the five structural elements of chess: Space, Material, Time (Development), Pawn Structure and King Position, focusing on pawn structure and the importance of the minority attack.

Minority Attack Ideas, Concepts and Examples - A Clever Positional Strategy - 9 Min NM Lopez - What's a Minority Attack and why should you use it in your games?

Why the Minority Attack is for Commoners w/ Kaspar/SuperBaguette33 | Dojo Lessons - 24 Min GM Kraai -  Lesson focusing on the Minority Attack strategy, featuring a game review . Emphasizing the importance of piece play over pawn structure and highlighting alternative strategies that could have been more effective.

How To Fight Against The Minority Attack in Chess (Middlegames) - 13 Min -  You will see the proper way of dealing with the minority attack

Top Ten Middlegame Ideas #4: Minority Attack - Examples from both sides - 52 Min -  I show some examples of the minority attack played by both the white side and the black side w/ 4 example games played by masters.

Top Ten Middlegame Ideas #4: Minority Attack - Ideas for defense - 41 Min - In this last video on the Minority Attack, I talk about ways to defend against it w/ 4 Example games by Masters.

Minority Attack - GM Yasser Seirawan - 48 Min - Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan demonstrates the minority attack with two of his games. A Nimzo-Indian and a Caro-Kann.

Carlsbad Pawn Structure Minority Attacks

• Minority Attacks in the Carlsbad Structure | Road to 2000 - 64 Min NM Caleb Denby -  looks at minority attacks, specifically those that happen in the Carlsbad pawn structure w/ analysis of 3 famous games.
• Top Ten Middlegame Ideas #4: Minority Attack - The Carlsbad structure - 35 Min - introduces some of the key ideas of the Minority attack, including the pawn structure named after a tournament, the Carlsbad structure w/ 2 famous games from that tournament.
• Carlsbad Pawn Structure – Examples of defending against the minority attack - 16 Min GM Hansen
  
  
• Carlsbad Pawn Structure And Minority Attack in Chess (Middlegames) - 18 Min -  Common plans for both sides in this structure.