WINNING WITH THE CATALAN may not be as new as some latest book regarding Catalan opening system such as PLAY THE CATALAN etc. Nevertheless, this 1998 published edition is a very important reference for those who intends to indulge into a simple yet full of venom system. What else shall I say when I have to face such an off beat system besides the Colle, London System, Trompowski and Torre attack ( I really hate these openings which somehow negates my King Indian preparation). However, you have to live with them..that is chess world all about.

My price is RM90.00. I could not find this book in any local bookstore (so far) but I think it is a reasonable price. I had browsed into the book and discovered that, one really have to prepare something to face this opening.

I also noted that, one of our female players, Haslindah Ruslan, had involved herself using this opening in the recent KL Open 2008, however, I did not manage to collect the game due to some unagreeable terms with the organiser.

One of the most notable successful Catalan 'opener' in our local chess scene is non other than the young and promising FM Anas Nazreen Bakri. (I am not sure whther he has any specific reference on his own repertoire). I also notice that, the Catalan which he use has some mixtures with other openings such as Reti opening. However, I present here a game which he successfully defeated another promising young player, NM Zarul Shazwan Zullkafli

[Event National Closed 2006]
[Round "9.6"]
[White "FM Anas Nazreen"]
[Black "Zarul Shazwan Zulkafli"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E09" Catalan Opening]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. c4 Nbd7 7. Qc2 c6 8. Nbd2
a6 9. b3 Re8 10. Bb2 Bf8 11. Rfd1 g6 12. e4 dxe4 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 Bg7 15.
Ne5 f6 16. Nd3 Nf8 17. h4 Bd7 18. Nc5 Qc7 19. Qf3 f5 20. Nd3 Rab8 21. Ne5 c5
22. Qf4 Bxe5 23. dxe5 Bc6 24. Bxc6 Qxc6 25. Rd6 Qc7 26. Rad1 Qa5 27. Qh6 Re7
28. Bc1 Rf7 29. Bg5 Qxa2 30. Bf6 Qa5 31. Rd8 Rxd8 32. Rxd8 Qc7 33. h5 gxh5 {#}
34. Rxf8+ Rxf8 35. Qg5+ 1-0