Games - Caro-Kann Defence

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	Games - Caro-Kann Defence

The Caro-Kann Defence is a common chess opening characterized by the moves (see algebraic notation): :1.e4 c6

The usual continuation (position shown) is :2.d4 d5

followed by 3.Nc3, 3.Nd2, 3.exd5, or 3.e5 (the Advance Variation.) The Caro-Kann, like the Sicilian Defense and French Defense, is classified as a "semi-open game," but it is thought to be more passive and drawish than either of those openings.

The opening is named after the German players Horatio Caro and Marcus Kann who analyzed the opening in 1886.

Classical Variation

The most common way of handling the Caro-Kann, the Classical Variation, follows with :3.Nc3 (or 3.Nd2) dxe4 :4.Nxe4 Bf5 :5.Ng3 Bg6 This was long considered to represent best play for both sides in the Caro-Kann. White usually continues :6.h4 h6 :7.Nf3 Nd7 :8.h5 Bh7 :9.Bd3 Bxd3 :10.Qxd3 obtaining a pawn bind on the king-side that may be useful in an endgame.

Much of the Caro-Kann's reputation as a solid defence stems from this variation being so hard to crack. 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 queen-side, castling king-side, 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 king-side pawn majority.

Smyslov Variation

Another solid positional line, this variation follows with the moves :3.Nc3 dxe4 :4.Nxe4 Nd7 Named after the seventh world champion Vasily Smyslov, in modern play it has been identified with former World Champion Anatoly Karpov, who has used it dozens of times in top-level play. 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 also enjoys added freedom in taking up space in the center, and often plays the aggressive 5.Ng5 to immediately raise some problems for Black. The famous last game of the Deep Blue-Garry Kasparov rematch where Kasparov blundered and lost was played in this very line.

Bronstein-Larsen Variation

An unusual continuation that follows :3.Nc3 dxe4 :4.Nxe4 Nf6!? :5.Nxf6 gxf6 (5...exf6 is possible but no longer in favor) leading to a very unclear position. Black has voluntarily opted for an inferior kingside pawn structure and a practical necessity of castling queenside, but also has some 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, but former top-10 player Bent Larsen employed it with some success during the 1970s.

Advance Variation

This variation that follows with :3.e5 Bf5 has gained popularity after having previously been widely regarded as inferior for many years. It has since been revitalized by aggressive lines like the Bayonet Attack (4.Nc3 e6 5.g4) or the less ambitious variation popularized by English Grandmaster Nigel Short and American Grandmaster Gata Kamsky (4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 c5 6.Be3) and regularly appears in top-level play.

Exchange Variation

Variation follows :3.exd5 cxd5 this line often leads up to the Panov-Botvinnik Attack with 4.c4. The relative simplicity of this system is misleading as it often leads to wildly tactical play thanks to the open diagonals and rapid White development. However, at the highest levels, the Panov-Botvinnik is drawish, with the Advance Variation (3.e5) currently scoring much better. Another line for White is 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3, which isn't thought to lead to much.

Unusual lines

Two Knights Variation: 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3, as sometimes played by Bobby Fischer.

Fantasy or Tartakower Variation: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3, with shades of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Caro-Kann Defence ]

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