Catalan Opening: Open Defense, Modern Sharp Variation
Play any move on the board to explore from there, or step through the line with ‹ › and the arrow keys.
Statistics from Lichess
15,886 games: White 51.5% / Draw 8.7% / Black 39.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 14,52515K | ||
| 1,1221,122 | ||
| 210210 | ||
| 1818 | ||
| 1111 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.21 The position is about equal
Best play: 7. Bd2 Nd5 8. Bxb4 Nxb4 9. O-O Rb8 10. Na3 O-O 11. Qb5 b6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Catalan Opening: Open Defense, Modern Sharp Variation (ECO E04, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Catalan Opening: Open Defense, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Qa4 Bb4+ (6 moves).
In 15,886 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.5%, Black 39.8% and 8.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. Bd2, in 91% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
Write a description or report a mistake
How to play against the Catalan Opening: Open Defense, Modern Sharp Variation
The most played answer, 7. Bd2, also scores best for White: 56.1%, with White winning 51.5% and Black 39.4% of 15K games. Of the main answers, 7. Nc3 scores lowest: 53.4%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7. Bd2.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Catalan Opening: Open Defense, Modern Sharp Variation (E04)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/catalan-opening-open-defense-modern-sharp-variation