Catalan is so so solid but very very rare due to how particular it is. It's such a solid position that is solid and forces your opponent to be the one to give u tiny advantages. It's an opening in my opinion that u have to keep making okay moves to keep your advantage or else it flips to the opponent right away. I personally use it at around 1500 elo and it is solid but most recommend you don't use it till like 1800+ due to needing to learn fundamentals to be good at it. It's a tough opening but if u use it correctly, it leads to a solid game
What are solid chess openings that aren’t super common?

I would mention these openings:
- Caro-Kann Defense (1. e4 c6). I wouldn't say that it is not very common (4th most popular response to 1.e4 according to chess.com opening database) but definitely a very solid response for black against 1.e4 and also not a lot of theory to learn.
- For the white pieces, the London System (1. d4...2. Bf4) is one of the most solid options. This is a setup-based opening that can be played against almost any of black's responses.
- For black against 1.d4 the first opening that comes to mind in terms of solidity is the Semi-Slav Defense. But this opening contains a lot of theory to learn. Also, it's not that uncommon.

1. h4 the Kadas opening can work.
The Catalan is most solid but also increasingly common.
For black I suggest the Modern Defense - we don't see it a lot and it's only refutable at a very high level (say 2700). Then try the Pterodactyl defense or Gurgenidze system.
Hey folks! Ive been playing chess since I was a child but Ive never actually taken the time to sit down and learn openings. I began studying the Kings Indian/Pirc Defense and its variations and lines, but Im looking for something that leaves me a little more solid after development.
What are some solid openings that aren’t super common? I prefer to play things that others haven’t seen a million times (pawn to e4 for example), but something that is still reliable and common and that I can study and evolve with we I progress on my chess journey.
This can be for both black and white. Currently 600-800 elo depending on the week
Thanks everyone, I hope everyone’s having a happy 2023!