[blind-chess] Chess Article #57: Introduction to Chess Openings: The Caro-Kann Defense
- From: Roderick Macdonald <rmacd@xxxxxxxx>
- To: Blind Chess Mailing List <blind-chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2010 20:24:47 -1000 (HST)
Chess Article #57:
Introduction to Chess Openings: The Caro-Kann Defense
Adapted and Condensed from
Wikipedia, the Free encyclopedia
The Caro-Kann Defense
Moves: 1. e4 c6
ECO: B10-B19
Origin: Bruederschaft (journal), 1886
Named after: Horatio Caro and Marcus Kann
Parent: King's Pawn Game
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). 3. 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.
The opening is named after the English player Horatio Caro and the
Austrian Marcus Kann who analyzed the opening in 1886.
Major Variations:
1 Classical / Capablanca Variation
2 Smyslov / Karpov / Modern Variation
3 Bronstein-Larsen Variation and Korchnoi Variation
4 Advance variation: 3...Bf5 and 3...c5
5 Exchange variation and Panov-Botvinnik Attack
6 Other lines
++1. Classical / Capablanca Variation
The most common way of handling the Caro-Kann, the Classical
Variation (often referred to as the Capablanca Variation after Jose
Capablanca), is defined by the moves
1. e4 c6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 dxe4
(or 3. Nd2 dxe4)
4. Nxe4 Bf5
This was long considered to represent best play for both sides in
the Caro-Kann. White usually continues
5. Ng3 Bg6
6. h4 h6
7. Nf3 Nd7
8. h5 Bh7
9. Bd3 Bxd3
10. Qxd3
Although White's pawn on h5 looks ready to attack, it can prove to
be a weakness in an endgame.
Much of the Caro-Kann's reputation as a solid defense stems from
this variation. Black makes very few compromises in his pawn
structure, and plays a timely c5 to contest the d4 square. Black
has the options of castling queenside, castling kingside, and even
leaving his king in the center. Should things proceed to an
endgame, Black often stands well thanks to his solid pawn structure
and kingside pawn majority.
Here is a brilliancy illustrating White's attacking chances when
the players castle on opposite sides in the Classical Variation:
Lev Milman - Joseph Fang
Foxwoods Open, 2005
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 e6
(10. ... Qc7 avoids White's next)
11. Bf4 Bb4+
12. c3 Be7
13. 0-0-0 Ngf6
14. Kb1 0-0
15. Ne5 c5?!
(15. ... Qa5 is usual and better)
16. Qf3 Qb6?
(necessary was 16. ... cxd4 17. Rxd4 Nxe5 18. Bxe5 Qc8 19. Rhd1 Rd8
20. Ne4 with a small White advantage)
17. Nxd7 Nxd7
18. d5 exd5
19. Nf5! Bf6
20. Rxd5 Qe6
21. Bxh6
(21. ... gxh6 22. Rd6 Qe8 23. Rxf6 Nxf6 24. Qg3+ mates on g7)
21. ... Ne5
22. Qe4 Nc6
23. Qf3 Ne5?
(23. ... gxh6 24. Rd6 Qe5 25. Nxh6+ Kg7 26. Nf5+ Kh7 with an
unclear position)
24. Qe4 Nc6
25. Qg4! Qxd5
(25. ... Ne5 26. Rxe5 Qxe5 27. Bxg7 Bxg7 28. h6 wins)
26. Bxg7 Qd3+
27. Ka1 Ne5
28. Ne7+!! Kh7
29. Qg6+!! fxg6
30. hxg6+ Kxg7
31. Rh7#
(White is down a queen, a rook, and a bishop!)
++2. Smyslov / Karpov / Modern Variation
Another solid positional line, this variation is characterized by
the moves
1. e4 c6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 dxe4
(or 3. Nd2 dxe4)
4. Nxe4 Nd7
At one time named after the first world champion Wilhelm Steinitz,
nowadays the variation is variously referred to as the Smyslov
Variation after the seventh world champion Vasily Smyslov who
played a number of notable games with it, the Karpov Variation,
after the twelfth World Champion Anatoly Karpov, in whose
repertoire it appeared quite often, or, most commonly, the Modern
Variation. The short-term goal of 4. ... Nd7 is to ease development
by the early exchange of a pair of Knights without compromising the
structural integrity of his position. Play is similar to the
Classical Variation except that Black has more freedom by delaying
the development of his bishop, and is not forced to play it to the
g6 square. However, this freedom comes at a cost as White enjoys
added freedom in taking up space in the center, and often plays the
aggressive 5. Ng5!? where Black's development is brought into
question as well as the positional weakness of the f7-square. The
famous last game of the Deep Blue-Garry Kasparov rematch where
Kasparov committed a known blunder and lost was played in this very
line.
Unfortunately for Black, this variation can lead to a quick mating
trap for White with 5. Qe2 and then 6. Nd6#.
++3. Bronstein-Larsen Variation and Korchnoi Variation
The Bronstein-Larsen Variation and Korchnoi Variation both begin
with the following moves:
1. e4 c6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 dxe4
(or 3. Nd2 dxe4)
4. Nxe4 Nf6!?
5. Nxf6+
++3.a Bronstein-Larsen Variation (5. ... gxf6!?)
The Bronstein-Larsen Variation arises after:
5. ... gxf6!?
Black has voluntarily opted for an inferior pawn structure and a
practical necessity of castling queenside, while gaining dynamic
compensation in the form of the open g-file for the rook and
unusually active play for the Caro-Kann. It is generally considered
somewhat unsound, though world championship challenger David
Bronstein and former world championship candidate Bent Larsen
employed it with some success.
++3.b Korchnoi Variation (5. ... exf6)
The Korchnoi Variation arises after:
5. ... exf6
Viktor Korchnoi has played 5. ... exf6 many times (including his
first world championship match with Anatoly Karpov), and this line
has also been employed by Ulf Andersson. Black's 5. ... exf6 is
regarded as sounder than 5. ... gxf6!? of the Bronstein-Larsen
Variation and offers Black rapid development, though also ceding
White the superior pawn structure and long-term prospects.
++4. Advance variation: 3. ... Bf5 and 3. ... c5
++4.a Advance Variation with 3. ... Bf5
The 3. ... Bf5 variation that follows with
1. e4 c6
2. d4 d5
3. e5 Bf5
has gained popularity after having previously been widely regarded
as inferior for many years, owing chiefly to the strategic
demolition that Aron Nimzowitsch (playing as White) suffered at the
hands of Jose Capablanca in one of their games at the New York 1927
tournament:
Aron Nimzowitsch-Jose Capablanca
New York 1924
1. e4 c6
2. d4 d5
3. e5 Bf5
4. Bd3?!
(after the exchange of the light-squared Bishops, Black's play is
based on White's light-squared weakness)
4. ... Bxd3
5. Qxd3 e6
6. Nc3 Qb6
7. Nge2 c5?!
(7. ... Ne7 8. 0-0 Qa6)
8. dxc5 Bxc5
9. 0-0 Ne7
10. Na4?
(10. b4! Bxb4 (10. ... Qxb4 11. Nb5 Qa5 12. Be3 a6 13. Rab1 axb5
14. Bxc5 Nbc6 15. Rxb5 Qc7 16. Bd6 Qd7 17. Rfb1 Nd8 18. Rc5) 11.
Rb1 Qa5 12. Nb5= Moutousis-Cilia Vincenti, Thessalonika, 13.
Nov.1988, 1-0)
10. ... Qc6
11. Nxc5
(11. Qg3 Nf5 12. Qb3 Nc6)
11. ... Qxc5
12. Be3 Qc7
13. f4 Nf5
14. c3 Nc6
15. Rad1 g6
16. g4 Nxe3
17. Qxe3 h5
18. g5 0-0
19. Nd4 Qb6
20. Rf2 Rfc8
21. a3 Rc7
22. Rd3 Na5
23. Re2 Re8
24. Kg2 Nc6
25. Red2 Rec8
26. Re2 Ne7
27. Red2 Rc4
28. Qh3 Kg7
29. Rf2 a5
30. Re2 Nf5
31. Nxf5+ gxf5
32. Qf3 Kg6
33. Red2 Re4
34. Rd4 Rc4
35. Qf2 Qb5
36. Kg3 Rcxd4
37. cxd4 Qc4
38. Kg2 b5
39. Kg1 b4
40. axb4 axb4
41. Kg2 Qc1
42. Kg3 Qh1
43. Rd3 Re1
44. Rf3 Rd1
45. b3 Rc1
46. Re3 Rf1
0-1
The Advance Variation has since been revitalized by aggressive
lines such as the Bayonet Attack (4. Nc3 e6 5. g4), a popular line
in the 1980s and later favored by Latvian Grandmaster Alexei
Shirov, or the less ambitious variation (4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 c5 6.
Be3), popularized by English Grandmaster Nigel Short and often seen
in the 1990s.
++4.b Advance variation with 3. ... c5
The 3. ... c5 variation that follows with
1. e4 c6
2. d4 d5
3. e5 c5!?
is an important alternative and avoids the weight of theory
associated with 3. ... Bf5. It was used by Mikhail Botvinnik in his
1961 match versus Mikhail Tal (though with a negative outcome for
Botvinnik - two draws and a loss). The line was christened the
"Arkell/Khenkin Variation" in the leading chess magazine New in
Chess yearbook 42 in recognition of the work these two Grandmasters
did and the success they were having with the variation. In
comparison to the French defense, Black lacks the tempo normally
spent on ...e6. However, White can only exploit this by the
weakening of his own central bind with 4. dxc5 when Black has good
chances of regaining the pawn.
++5. Exchange variation and Panov-Botvinnik Attack
The Exchange Variation is
1. e4 c6
2. d4 d5
3. exd5 cxd5
++5.a Panov-Botvinnik Attack
The Panov-Botvinnik Attack begins with the move 4. c4. It is named
after Vasily Panov and the world champion Mikhail Botvinnik. This
system often leads to typical isolated queen's pawn (IQP)
positions, with White obtaining rapid development, a grip on e5,
and kingside attacking chances to compensate for the long-term
structural weakness of the isolated d4 pawn. The major variation in
this line 4. ... Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nf3, when Black's main
alternatives are 6. ... Bb4 (a position which often transposes into
lines of the Nimzo-Indian Defense) and 6. ... Be7, once the most
common line. 6. ... Nc6?! is inferior as it is favorably met by 7.
c5!, after which White plans on seizing the e5-square via the
advance of his b-pawn to b5 or by exchanging the Black's Knight on
c6 after Bb5.
++5.b Exchange Variation
The "true" Exchange Variation begins with
4. Bd3 Nc6
5. c3 Nf6
6. Bf4 Bg4
7. Qb3
This line is considered to offer equal chances, and was tried by
Bobby Fischer. Some of the strategic ideas are analogous to the
Queen's Gambit Declined, Exchange Variation, (1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3.
Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 exd5) with colors reversed.
++6. Other lines
White can play 2. c4. Then Black may play 2. ... d5 (see 1. e4 c6
2. c4 d5). This can transpose to the Panov-Botvinnik (B14, given
above, with exd5 cxd5 d4) or Caro-Kann (B10, with the double
capture on d5). Or Black may play 2. ... e5 (see 1. e4 c6 2. c4
e5).
Also White can play 2. Nc3. Then Black may play 2. ... d5 (see 1.
e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5). This can lead to the Steinitz Variation (B17,
given above), Caro-Kann (B15), Two Knights, 3. ... Bg4 (B11), or
Caro-Kann (B10). Or Black may play 2. ... g6 (see 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3
g6).
++6.a Two Knights Variation:
1. e4 c6
2. Nf3 d5
3. Nc3
Played by Bobby Fischer in his youth, where White's intention is to
benefit from rapid development as well as to retain options
regarding the d-pawn. Black's logical and probably best reply is
3. ... Bg4
4. h3 Bxf3
5. Qxf3
the positional continuation, Black has the option of 5. ... Nf6 or
5. ... e6. This variation sets a trap: if Black plays along the
lines of the Classical Variation, he gets in trouble after 3. ...
dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 (4. ... Nd7 is playable) 5. Ng3 Bg6?! (5. ... Bg4)
6. h4 h6 7. Ne5 Bh7 (7. ... Qd6 may be best) 8. Qh5! g6 (forced) 9.
Bc4! e6 (9. ... gxh5?? 10. Bxf7#) 10. Qe2 with a huge advantage for
White. Now 10. ... Qe7! is best. Instead, Lasker-Radsheer, 1908 and
Alekhine-Bruce, 1938 ended quickly after, respectively, 10. ...
Bg7?? 11. Nxf7! and 10. ... Nf6?? 11. Nxf7!.
4. ... Bh5
is a complex line, in which White can trap the bishop, though Black
gains tremendous compensation.
++6.b Fantasy or Tartakower Variation:
1. e4 c6
2. d4 d5
3. f3
This somewhat resembles the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. 3. ... e6 is
probably the most solid response, preparing to exploit the dark
squares via ... c5, though 3. ... g6 has been tried by Yasser
Seirawan.
Related to the Fantasy Variation are the gambits 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 dxe4 4. f3, originated by Sir Stuart Milner-Barry, and 1. e4
c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. f3 by (von Hennig).
++6.C Gurgenidze Variation:
1. e4 c6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 g6
It is because of this variation, originated by Bukhuti Gurgenidze,
that 3. Nc3 fell from favour in the 1970s. 3. Nd2 has since been
regarded as the accurate way to reach the positions arising from
... dxe4. After 3. Nd2, ... g6 is met by 4. c3, when the
fianchettoed bishop has little to do.
++6.D Hillbilly Attack:
1. e4 c6
2. Bc4?!
This is often played by club players. Black can simply play 2. ...
d5 3. exd5 cxd5, gaining a tempo on the bishop.
++6.E Godley Gambit:
1. e4 c6
2. d4 d5
3. exd5 Nf6!?
With similar ideas in mind to the Danish Gambit, with colours
reversed. Black often fianchettoes on the kingside. One line runs:
4. dxc6 g6!?
Where Black gambits a second pawn for even quicker development. It
is named after the Irish club player Sean Godley, the gambit's
leading exponent, who analysed its lines in depth at the beginning
of the 21st century and introduced it into the mainstream.
Note that the Caro-Kann can sometimes be reached by transposition
of moves from the English Opening:
1. c4 c6
2. e4 d5
++7 ECO codes
The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings has ten codes for the Caro-Kann
Defense, B10 through B19:
B10
* Hillbilly Attack: 1. e4 c6 2. Bc4
* Modern; English Variation, Accelerated Panov: 1. e4 c6 2. c4
* Breyer Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d3
* Stein Attack: 1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2 e5
6. Ngf3 Ne7 7. 0-0 0-0 8. b4
* Massachusetts Defense: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 f5
* Masi Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 Nf6
* Scorpion-Horus Gambit: 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d3 dxe4 4. Bg5
* Spielmann/Goldman Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Qf3
* Two Knights Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3
B11
* Two Knights Attack: 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3
* Mindeno Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4
* Retreat Line, Mindeno Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4
4. h3 Bh5
B12
* Landau Gambit: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Bd3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 6. e6
* Mieses Gambit: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Be3
* Diemer-Duhm Gambit: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. c4
* Advance Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5
* Prins Attack: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. b4
* Bayonet Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. g4
* Tal Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. h4
* Van der Wiel Attack: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3
* Dreyev Defense: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3 Qb6
* Bronstein Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Ne2
* Short Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2
* Botvinnik-Carls Defense: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5
* Maroczy Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3
* Fantasy/Lilienfisch Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3
* Maroczy Gambit: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3 dxe4 4. fxe4 e5 5. Nf3
exd4 6. Bc4
* Modern Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2
* New Caro-Kann 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 g6
* Edinburgh Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Qb6
* Ulysses Gambit: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Ng5
* De Bruycker Defense: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 Na6
* Hector Gambit: 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Ng5
B13
* Rubinstein Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3
Nc6 5. c3 Nf6 6. Bf4
* Panov-Botvinnik: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4
* Panov-Botvinnik, Gedult-Gunderam Attack: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3.
exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. c5
B14
* Carlsbad Line: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3
Nc6 6. Bg5 e6
* Czerniak Line: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3
Nc6 6. Bg5 Qa5
* Reifir-Spielmann Line: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4
Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 Qb6
B15
* Gurgenidze Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 b5
* Von Hennig Gambit: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Bc4
* Milner-Barry Gambit, Rasa-Studier Gambit: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3.
Nc3 dxe4 4. f3
* Knight Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6
* Tarrasch/Alekhine Gambit: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4.
Nxe4 Nf6 5. Bd3
* Tartakower Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4
Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6
* Forgacs Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6
5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. Bc4
* Gurgenidze System: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 g6
* Gurgenidze Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 g6 4. e5 Bg7 5.
f4 h5
* Campomanes Attack: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6
B16
* Finnish Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 h6
* Bronstein-Larsen Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4.
Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ gxf6
* Korchnoi Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6
5. Nxf6+ exf6
B17
* Karpov Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7
* Smyslov Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7
5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6
* Tiviakov-Fischer Attack: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4
Nd7 5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6
* Kasparov Attack: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5.
Nf3 Ngf6 6. Ng3
* Ivanchuk Defense: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5.
Ng5 Ndf6
B18
* Classical Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5
* Flohr Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5.
Ng3 Bg6 6. Nh3
B19
* Seirawan Variation: 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
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