Caro-Kann Defence

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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

Caro-Kann Defence
Moves	1.e4 c6
ECO	B10–B19
Origin	Bruederschaft (journal), 1886
Named after	Horatio Caro and Marcus Kann
Parent	King's Pawn Game
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The Caro-Kann Defence is a common chess opening characterized by the moves:

1.e4 c6.

The usual continuation is

2.d4 d5

followed by 3.Nc3 (the Classical 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 Defence and French Defence, 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.

Contents 1 Classical / Capablanca Variation 2 Smyslov / Karpov 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 7 ECO codes 7.1 B10 7.2 B11 7.3 B12 7.4 B13 7.5 B14 7.6 B15 7.7 B16 7.8 B17 7.9 B18 7.10 B19 8 Trivia 9 Further reading 10 References

[edit] Classical / Capablanca Variation

The most common way of handling the Caro-Kann, the Classical Variation (often referred to as the Capablanca Variation after José Capablanca), follows with

1.e4 c6

2.d4 d5

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

Although White's pawn on h5 looks ready to attack, it can prove to be a real weakness in an endgame (Schiller, 8)

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.

Here is a recent 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] 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!) Notes based on Milman's much more extensive notes in July 2005 Chess Life, pp. 11–12.

[edit] Smyslov / Karpov variation

Another solid positional line, this variation follows with the moves

1.e4 c6

2.d4 d5

3.Nc3 (or 3.Nd2) dxe4

4.Nxe4 Nd7

Named after the first world champion Wilhelm Steinitz, and variously called the Smyslov Variation after the seventh world champion Vasily Smyslov and the Karpov Variation after the twelfth World Champion Anatoly Karpov. 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.

[edit] 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

4.Nxe4 Nf6!?

5.Nxf6

The Bronstein-Larsen variation arises after:

5...gxf6!?

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.

The Korchnoi variation arises after:

5...exf6

Viktor Korchnoi has played 5...exf6 many times (including in a world championship match). 5...exf6 is sounder than 5...gxf6!? of the Bronstein-Larsen Variation and offers Black rapid development.

[edit] Advance variation: 3...Bf5 and 3...c5

The 3...Bf5 variation that follows with

1e4