usually 3...d5 and 4...Be7 , 5...0-0 and 6...dxc4 allows Black to get a decent position.
How to counter the Catalan?
Sort:
Nov 22, 2016
0
#3
If you like Benoni types of positions, then 3...c5 is a reasonable defense.
Mar 5, 2017
0
#4
Daniel King has a chessbase training video where he recommends the Closed Catalan for Black; i.e. Black keeps the pawn on d5 for awhile.
Mar 6, 2017
0
#5
Personally don't think catalan is much for club players to worry about. Modern Benoni quite lively, although white can play nf3 with english positions. 3...Bb4ch 3Bd2 BxB and if 4QxB d5 etc very solid and straightforward line. There are also straightforward open catalan lines where black plays to neutralise bg2 and play c5, i.e 3...d5 and 4...Be7 , 5...0-0 and 6...dxc4 mentioned above.
Just think black needs to avoid the closed catalan where the skills gap between club player and GM, works more in white's favour. In many open catalan positions a Kramnik can work with subtle positional ideas to try put pressure on black, but the majority of club players completely clueless what should be doing.
4... Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 is also a relatively easy line to play.
AC1312_terciopelo wrote:
The Fianchetto Modern Benoni is a ton of fun as black... you get very crazy and dynamic positions. You do need to know a bit of theory, though.>>>>>
I play it because I get the impression I can invent my own "theory" because the positions obtained aren't very much to the taste of many players of the white side among at least the under 2300 players I tend to be facing. So I don't consider it theory-laden. There is simply a selection of counter-attacking motifs available for black and black has to take his opportunities.
Possibly helpful: Declining the Queen's Gambit
https://web.archive.org/web/20140626233841/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen149.pdf
I typically play 2...e6 after 1...Nf6: