Caro-Kann Defense, Classical Variation

ALEXANDER BELIAVSKY vs. BENT LARSEN
Tilburg, 1981

1. e4, c6
2. d4, d5
3. Nc3, dxe4
4. Nxe4, Bf5
5. Ng3, Bg6
6. h4, h6
7. Nf3, Nd7
8. h5, Bh7
9. Bd3, Bxd3
10. Qxd3, Ngf6
11. Bf4, e6
12. 0-0-0, Be7
13. Ne5, a5
14. Rhe1, a4
15. Ng6! ....

White intends to break open Black's defenses.  The sacrifice is necessary.

15. .... Nd5

If 15....fxg6, 16. Qxg6+ Kf8, 17. Rxe6 with a good game for White.

16. Nf5!! ....

White intends to mate with Nxg7....

16. .... Bf8

If 16.....fxg6, then 17. Nxg7+ Kf8 (if 17....Kf7, 18. Qxg6+!!), 18. Nxe6+ and Black loses his Queen.

If 16.....exf5, then 17. Nxe7 Nxf4 (if 17.....Nxe7, then 18. Bd6), 18. Nxc6+ Kf8, 19. Qa3+ and Black loses his Queen.

17. Bd6!! ....

The Bishop could not be taken because of the threat Nxg7 mate or Nxd6 mate.

17. .... Rg8

If 17. .... fxg6, then 18. Nxg7+ Bxg7, 19. Qxg6 mate.

18. c4, Nb4
19. Qh3, fxg6
20. Rxe6+, Kf7
21. hxg6+, Kxe6
22. Re1+, Ne5

If 22.....Kf6, then 23. Nxh6 gxh6, 24. Re6+ Kg5, 25. e4 mate.

23. Bxe5, Resigns

White threatens 24. Nxh6+ Ke7, 25. Nxg8+ Ke8, 26. Bd6+ and White wins.

Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense Reifir-Spielmann Line

MIKHAIL BOTVINNIK vs. RUDOLF SPIELMANN
Moscow, 1935

1. c4, c6
2. e4, d5
3. exd5, cxd5
4. d4, NF6
5. Nc3 ....

The Panov Attack.  This is an opening thoroughly studied and recommended by Anatoly Karpov, former world chess champion.

5. ...., Nc6
6. Bg5, Qb6

The Modern Defense, Reifir-Spielmann Line.

7. cxd5, Qxb2

Black is willing to exchange Knights, which would be in his favor.

8. Rc1, Nb4
9. Na4 ....

White sets a trap.

9. .... Qxa2

If 9.....Qa3, then 10. Rc3 Nc2+ 11. Qxc2 Qd6 12. Rxc8+ Rxc8 13. Qxc8+ Qd8 14. Bb5+ Nd7 15. Bxd7 mate.  However, in this variation, Black's Queen may escape but may suffer relentless attack after 10....Nd3+ 11. Bxd3 Qd6 12. Qc1 Bd7 13. Nc5 ....

10. Bc4!!, Bg4

Black creates a distraction, but White is unperturbed.

11. Nf3, Bxf3
12. gxf3, Resigns

Black's only move is Qa3 and after that the Queen is trapped after 13. Rc3 as in above variation.

Karpov Tames the Caro-Kann

ANATOLI KARPOV vs. VLASTIMIL HORT
Bugojno, 1978
Caro-Kann Defence

1.e4, c6
2.d4, d5
3.Nd2, dxe4
4.Nxe4, Nd7
5.Nf3, Ngf6
6.Nxf6+, Nxf6

So far, the moves played were standard lines of play in Caro-Kann.  Now, Karpov tries an innovative move.

7.Ne5, Bf5
8.c3, e6
9.g4! ....

Now, the game has become more exciting....

9. .... Bg6
10.h4!, h5
11.g5, Nd5
12.Nxg6, fxg6

Karpov managed to create a double-pawn, thereby creating a weakness in the opponent's king side.

13.Qc2, Kf7
14.Rh3, Ne7
15.Bc4, Nf5
16.Rf3, Qd7

If 16....Qe7, 17. Rxf5+ gxf5, 18. Qxf5+ Ke8, 19. Bxe6 .... Black's position becomes constricted.

17.Rxf5!+, gxf5
18.Qxf5+, Ke7
19.Qe4, Re8

If 19. Qe5, Black responds with 19....Qd6 neutralizing the attack. 

20.Bf4, Kd8
21.Qe5, Rg8
22.O-O-O, g6
23.Re1, Bg7
24.Qb8+, Ke7

If 24....Qc8, then 25. Qxc8 Kxc8, 26. Rxe6 .... and White gets a superior position.

25.Rxe6+, Resigns

Further play is pointless. If 25....Kf8 (or Kf7), then 26. Rxe8+ Qxe8, 27. Bd6 mate.

Caro Kann Defense Classical Variation

KONSTANTIN LANDA vs. EVGENY SHAPOSHNIKOV
Russia 2005
Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation

See the other variations of the Caro-Kann Defense.

1. e4, c6
2. d4, d5
3. Nc3, dxe4
4. Nxe4 ....

The Classical Variation of the Caro Kann.

4. .... Bf5
5. Ng3, Bg6
6. h4, h6
7. Nf3, Nd7
8. h5, Bh7
9. Bd3, Bxd3
10. Qxd3, e6
11. Bf4, Qa5+
12. Bd2, Bb4
13. c3, Be7
14. c4, Qa6
15. 0-0, Rd8

Black intends to post his Knight at c5.

16. b4, Ngf6
17. a4, b6
18. Rfe1, 0-0
19. Nf5, Rfe8
20. Nxg7 ....

The fireworks begin. White slowly destroys Black's kingside pawn structure before pouncing on the beleaguered King.

20. .... Kxg7
21. Rxe6!!, fxe6

By sacrificing the Rook, White creates a weakness on the g6 square, which will ultimately cost Black the game.

22. Bxh6+, Kh8

The intruding Bishop cannot be captured because of 23. Qg6 mate.

23. Bg7+, Kxg7

If Black decides not to capture (23.....Kg8), then the game continues 24. Qg6 Nf8, 25. Bxf8+ Kxf8, 26. h6! Nh5, 27. Ne5 and mate next move.

24. Qg6+ Kf8

Black resigns.

Black has no defense to White's next move: 25. Ng5 assuring mate by Qf7. If 24....Kh8, then 25. Ng5 Rf8, 26, h6!! and mate next move.

Caro-Kann Defense Exchange Variation

MIKHAIL TAL vs. LEONOV
Riga 1949

Caro-Kann Defense Exchange Variation

1. e4, c6
2. d4, d5
3. exd5, cxd5

The Exchange Variation of the Caro-Kann.

4. Bd3, Nf6
5. h3, h6
6. Bf4, e6
7. Nf3, Bd6

The Bishop at f4 is at an advantageous position.  It would be prudent to neutralize the Bishop at once.

8. Bxd6, Qxd6
9. c3, Nc6
10. 0-0, 0-0
11. Qe2, Re8
12. Ne5, Qc7
13. f4, Nxe5
14. fxe5, Nh7
15. Qh5, Re7
16. Na3, a6
17. Nc2, Qd7?

Why block the Bishop's way?  If the Queen intends to travel to f8, Black could have moved 17....Qd8 at once

18. Ne3, Qe8
19. Rf6, Qf8

If 19....gxf6, then 20. Bxh7+ Kxh7, 21. exf6 Rc7, 22. Rf1 ... and White gets attacking position in exchange.

20. Rf4, Bd7
21. Ng4, Be8
22. Nf6+ ....

22. ....  Nxf6

If 22....exf6, then 23. Bxh7+ Kxh7, 24. exf6 Rc7, 25. Rg4 ... and White weaves a mating net.

23. exf6, Rc7

If 23....gxf6, then White mates with 24. Rg4+ Kh8, 25. Qh4 and 26. Qxf6.

24. fxg7, Kxg7

Of course not 24....Qxg7 then 25. Rg4.

25. Qe5+, Resigns

White would have tremendous material advantage after 25....f6, 26. Qxc7.

Caro-Kann Defense, Breyer Variation

MIKHAIL TAL vs.  VASILY SMYSLOV
Yuloslavia 1959

1. e4, c6
2. d3 ....

The Breyer Variation of the Caro-Kann.

2. .... d5
3. Nd2, e5
4. Ngf3, Nd7
5. d4, dxe4
6. Nxe4, exd4
7. Qxd4, Ngf6
8. Bg5, Be7
9. 0-0-0, 0-0
10. Nd6, Qa5
11. Bc4 ....

White's two Bishops are now active.

11. .... b5
12. Bd2, Qa6
13. Nf5, Bd8
14. Qh4!! ....

White sacrifices the c4 Bishop in order to gain attacking position.

14. .... bxc4
15. Qg5, Nh5
16. Nh6+ ....

If 16. Qxh5, then Black replies with ...Nf6, 17. Qg5 Bxf5, and White's attack fizzles out.

16. .... Kh8
17. Qxh5, Qxa2
18. Bc3!! ....

This move serves many purposes. First it provides an escape square for the King; second, it attacks the long c3-h8 diagonal; third, it opens the d-file.

18. .... Nf6
19. Qxf7!!, Qa1+

Black has no other choice. If 19....Re8 (or any other move), then 20. Qg8+ Rxg8, 21. Nf7 mate.  Of course not 19....Rxf7 because of 20. Rxd8 and mate next move.

20. Kd2, Rxf7
21. Nxf7+, Kg8
22. Rxa1, Kxf7
23. Ne5+, Ke6
24. Nxc6, Ne4+
25. Ke3, Bb6+
26. Bd4, Resigns

Black hoped for 26. Kxe4 Bb7 pinning the Knight.  

If 26....Bxd4, then 27. Kxd4 Nd6, 28. Rxa7.  With superior material, White wins easily.  A very instructive play by Mikhail Tal.

Caro-Kann Defense, Modern Variation

KONSTANTIN LANDA vs. EVGENY SHAPOSHNIKOV
TCh-Republic of Russia 2005

Caro-Kann Defense

1. e4, c6
2. d4, d5
3. Nc3 ....

The modern variation of Caro-Kann.  This move allows White greater mobility for the Knights and eventual neutralization of Black's Bishop.

3. .... dxe4
4. Nxe4, Bf5
5. Ng3, Bg6
6. h4, h6
7. Nf3, Nd7
8. h5, Bh7
9. Bd3, Bxd3
10. Qxd3, e6
11. Bf4, Qa5+
12. Bd2 ....

Also possible is 12. c3.  The text move keeps the tension going.

12. .... Bb4
13. c3, Be7
14. c4, Qa6
15. 0-0, Rd8
16. b4 ....

Detecting a weakness on the queenside, White decides to advance the pawns.

16. .... Ngf6
17. a4, b6
18. Rfe1, 0-0
19. Nf5 ....

A prelude to a devastating attack.

19. .... Rfe8
20. Nxg7!! ....

White is attacking on both sides of the board!

20. .... Kxg7
21. Rxe6!!, fxe6

Black was not able to find anything better.  If 21....Nxh5, then 22. Rxh6 Ndf6, 23. Rg6+ fxg6, 24. Ne5! and White threatens 25. Qxg6 with an overwhelming attack.

22. Bxh6, Kh8

If 22....Kf7 or 22.....Kxh6 then 23. Qg6 mate.

23. Bg7+, Kxg7
24. Qg6+, Resigns

There is no stopping mate at g7 after the pawn advances to h6.  If 24....Kh8, then 25. Ng5 Rf8, 26. h6 and Black cannot parry simultaneous mating threats at the same time.

An amazing game.

Caro-Kann Defense

The Caro-Kann Defense is a common defense against the King's Pawn Opening characterized by the moves:

1.e4,  c6

The usual continuation is

2.d4,  d5

followed by 3.Nc3 (the Modern Variation), 3.Nd2 (the Classical Variation), 3.exd5 (the Exchange Variation), or 3.e5 (the Advance Variation). 2.Nc3 is the modern variation which has gained much popularity. The Caro-Kann, like the Sicilian Defense and French Defense, is classified as a "Semi-Open Game", but it is thought to be more solid and less dynamic than either of those openings. It often leads to good endgames for Black, who has the better pawn structure.

ESPELI vs. ANDERSSEN
Oslo, 1952
 
1. e4, c6
2. c4, d5
3. cxd5, cxd5
4. Bb5+ .....
 
Waste of time. 4. exd5 is much better.
 
4. ..... Bd7
5. Qa4? .....
 
This is the losing move.  White loses time and gives Black attacking momentum.
 
5. ..... dxe4
6. Bxd7+, Nxd7 !
7. Qxe4, Nc5 !!!
8. Qc4, Nd3+
9. Ke2, Rc8!
 
Every move a menace.
 
10. Qxd3, Qxd3+
11. Kxd3, Rxc1
12. Ke2, g6!

White resigns.  He is unable to move any of his major pieces.

Black's immediate threat is .....Bg7 winning a Rook.  The most likely line of play is therefore 13. d4 Bg7, 14. Kd2 Bh6+, 15. Ke2 Nf6, 16. g3 0-0,  17. Kf3 R8c8, 18. Kg2 R8c2 and Black has a very easy win.  Black took drastic advantage of the opportunities offered him.

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