5. G3 Fianchetto Variation (Positional Attack)
Long-range pressure along the long diagonal h1-a8.
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 c5 6.O-O Nc6 7.Qa4 Bd7 8.Qxc4 b5 9.Qd3 c4 10.Qd1 Rc8 11.Bf4 Be7
Move by move
- 1.d4 – White takes the center with the queen's pawn, already defended by the Queen, and opens the diagonal for the c1 Bishop. The repertoire plan is c4 next move to attack Black's d5 pawn at once.
- 1...d5 – Black answers symmetrically: the d5 pawn prevents e4 and contests the center. White can now hit it from the side with the c-pawn.
- 2.c4 – The Queen's Gambit attacks d5 with a flank pawn. It is not a real sacrifice: after 2...dxc4 White regains the pawn with e3 and Bxc4, or takes the center with e4.
- 2...e6 – The Queen's Gambit Declined: Black supports d5 with the e-pawn. The structure is rock solid, but the c8 Bishop stays shut in behind e6: this will be Black's main problem throughout the chapter.
- 3.Nf3 – The Knight develops without blocking the c-pawn and keeps open the choice between Nc3 and the g3 fianchetto, that is the Catalan system.
- 3...Nf6 – Black develops and defends d5. Against 3.Nf3 it is the most natural answer; White now chooses the fianchetto.
- 4.g3 – Catalan System: the Bishop will go to g2, where it aims at d5 and the b7 pawn on the long diagonal. White plays against Black's queenside without hurry.
- 4...dxc4 – Open Catalan: Black takes the c4 pawn knowing he will give it back, but gains time for ...c5 or ...a6 and ...b5.
- 5.Bg2 – The Bishop completes the fianchetto. The c4 pawn is regained with Qa4+ or Ne5: there is no need to hurry.
- 5...c5 – Black attacks d4 at once, exploiting the moment when White has not yet regained c4. It also opens the diagonal for the f8 Bishop.
- 6.O-O – White castles and leaves recovering the pawn for later: the King is safe and the f1 Rook can support the center.
- 6...Nc6 – The Knight attacks d4 a second time. White must decide how to regain c4 without letting d4 fall.
- 7.Qa4 – The Queen pins the c6 Knight to the King and attacks c4. With the Knight pinned, the d4 pawn is no longer really in danger.
- 7...Bd7 – The Bishop breaks the pin and defends c6. Black prepares ...b5 to attack the Queen when it recaptures on c4.
- 8.Qxc4 – White regains the pawn: material is level and the g2 Bishop has the long diagonal open toward c6.
- 8...b5 – Black attacks the Queen and gains space on the queenside. The b5 pawn, however, creates weak squares such as c5 and c6.
- 9.Qd3 – The Queen retreats to d3, from where it supports d4 and the d-file. It remains exposed to a new push of the c-pawn, though.
- 9...c4 – Black chases the Queen again and gets the c4-b5 majority on the queenside. In return he gives up control of d4 and e4.
- 10.Qd1 – The Queen returns to d1 to safety. Black has space on the queenside, White a free center for e4.
- 10...Rc8 – The Rook defends c4 and prepares ...Nb4 or ...b4. Black keeps his majority compact.
- 11.Bf4 – The Bishop develops actively, controls e5 and b8 and prepares Ne5 or Nc3. White now has all pieces ready to strike at the black chain.
- 11...Be7 – Black develops and prepares short castling. Black's King is still in the center: White must open the game quickly.
How to exploit the position
Black has gained space with b5-c4, but is behind in development and his King is still in the center; White has the free center and the g2 diagonal.
- Play Ne5: open the g2 Bishop's diagonal toward c6 and a8 and attack the c6 Knight: after Nxc6 Bxc6 Bxc6+ Rxc6 Black loses the light-squared Bishop that defends the light squares.
- Hit the chain with b3 or a4: if it gives way, c4 and b5 become weak.
- Nc3 attacks b5 and prepares e4, with White's center advancing against a King not yet castled.
- Black wants ...Nd5, ...b4 and ...O-O: do not give him time to consolidate.
Master tips
The long diagonal
In the Catalan the g2 Bishop is your best piece: every time the f3 Knight moves, the diagonal toward c6 and a8 opens.