CONTROL DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

A control device (100) for an internal combustion engine (1) is provided with: a variable valve driving mechanism (10) capable of changing a working angle of an intake valve (19) while keeping a maximum magnitude of lift and opening timing constant; a reduction catalyst (9) which absorbs nitrogen oxide in exhaust during lean combustion and reduces the nitrogen oxide absorbed during rich combustion; and a control unit (4) changing, according to a load (T L , T H ) on the internal combustion engine (1), an amount of advance (”IVC L , ”IVC H ) of closing of the intake valve 19 at the time of switching to rich combustion.