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Catalan Opening is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3. It is classified E00 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black to move. The Catalan combines a queen's gambit pawn structure with a kingside fianchetto, aiming the light-squared bishop down the long diagonal at Black's queenside. The pressure it generates is slow but persistent, and it has become a mainstay at elite level.
This position can also be reached by another move order, including 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5.
Positional and patient. White often sacrifices the c4 pawn temporarily for lasting pressure, and many games are decided by long-term positional bind rather than by tactics. Black's main question is whether to hold the pawn or return it for development.
Positional players comfortable playing with compensation rather than material, and willing to grind out long games.
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3. Open any of them to load the position on the board.