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.

King's Indian Defense

The King's Indian Defense was already discussed in previous postings. It is a hypermodern opening, where Black deliberately allows White control of the centre with his pawns, with the view to subsequently challenging it with the moves ...e5 or ...c5. It is a dynamic opening, exceptionally complex, and a favourite of players such as former world champions Garry Kasparov, Bobby Fischer, and Mikhail Tal.

RENE LETELIER MARTNER vs. ROBERT JAMES FISCHER
Liepzig Olympiad Prelim 1960

King's Indian Defense

1. d4, Nf6
2. c4, g6
3. Nc3, Bg7
4. e4, 0-0

The normal continuation is 4....d6.  Fischer decided to complicate the opening in order to break loose White's central pawn structure.

5. e5, Ne8
6. f4, d6
7. Be3, c5
8. dxc5, Nc6
9. cxd6, exd6
10. Ne4, Bf5
11. Ng3, Be6
12. Nf3, Qc7
13. Qb1?? ....

An odd move. It does not help White in any way. It even imprisoned his own Rook!

13. .... dxe5
14. f5 ....

Black's position is unassailable after 14. fxe5 Nxe5, 15. Nxe5 Bxe5.

14. .... e4!!
15. fxe6, exf3
16. gxf3, f5
17. f4, Nf6
18. Be2, Rfe8!
19. Kf2, Rxe6
20. Re1, Rae8
21. Bf3, Rxe3!!

22. Rxe3, Rxe3
23. Kxe3, Qxf4+!!
White resigns (0:1).

White loses if he takes the Queen (24. Kxf4 Bh6+ mate).

If 24. Kf2, then 24....Nd4, 25. Qd1 Ng4+, 26. Kg2 Ne3 double-check, and Black wins.