Annotated chess game: Caro Kann Knight Variation

« TAP TO LOG IN

ANNOTATED GAME

Caro Kann Knight Variation
e4addict (2050) vs. hscer (1628)
Annotated by: hscer (1774)
Chess opening: Caro-Kann (B15), Forgacs variation

Interactive

•

Show all comments

•

All annotated games

•

View chessboard as:


1. e4 c6	I've gone through a long period of trying out the Scandinavian (1...d5) but against a much stronger opponent I decided to go with the more solid Caro-Kann, which has similar themes.



2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6	When I play the CKD, this is usually the variation I play, although on account of this game and others, 4...Nd7 is looking more enticing.
	1 comment elyhim (1200) on 30-Dec-12: This is not a very good Caro-kann move because the caro-kann player strives to avoid pawn weaknesses such as the one that results from this move.


5. Nxf6+ exf6	5...gxf6 is also playable, but I prefer the more structurally sound version, which also allows for quick, natural development.
	1 comment elyhim (1200) on 30-Dec-12: GM Koronchi championed this pawn structure in the caro-kann. It's strength is that white in order to break through on the kingside is going to need to sac a piece to do so. However, the flip side is that black will have a very hard time mounting some sort of attack because of his kingside weakness. So while being defensively strong it is offensively weak


6. Bc4	This move deviated from my other experience with this variation against a 2000 opponent, which I lost after an unexpected tactical shot on the 28th move: 6. Nf3 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O Bg4 9. h3 Bh5 10. Re1 Nd7 11. Be2 Nb6 12. c3 Nd5 13. Qc2 Bg6 14. Bd3 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 Qd7 16. c4 Ne7 17. b3 Ng6 18. Be3 Bf4 19. Rad1 Qc7 20. Bxf4 Nxf4 21. Qe4 Ng6 22. d5 cxd5 23. cxd5 Qd6 24. Nd4 Ne5 25. Nf5 Qb6 26. Ne7+ Kh8 27. Rd4 Rad8 28. Qxh7+ 1-0
	1 comment elyhim (1200) on 30-Dec-12: This move and Bd3 are quite typical here.


6... Bd6	The best square for the bishop and preparing to castle, but White has a different idea.
	1 comment elyhim (1200) on 30-Dec-12: Alternatively black can try 6. ...g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. c3 Be6 to attack d4-pawn later on


7. Qe2+ Qe7	Despite my doubled pawns, there's still enough material on the board to exchange queens, but not enough that my king is unsafe in the center of the board.



8. Qxe7+ Kxe7	Plus, if needed, the king can go to f8 and g8 after the Rh8 moves, and White is not in a state of development to take advantage of the king's current position.
	1 comment elyhim (1200) on 30-Dec-12: why not just play 8. ...Bxe7 with a good game


9. Ne2 Be6 10. Bd3	Naturally, White does not want to un-double the black pawns after 10. Bxe6 fxe6



10... Nd7 11. O-O g5	I wanted to deny White the f4 square, but this is the my first of two errors. And yet, I expected White's reply. 11... Rhe8 is natural and better (if 12. Bxh7 g6)
	1 comment elyhim (1200) on 30-Dec-12: For the next time, As you said early white does not wish to untie black's pawns. Here is what I would have done. 11. ...g6 12. Re1( 12. Nf4 Rhe8 = or 12. Bf4 Bxf4 13. Nxf4 Rhe8 14. Re1 Kf8 is the same)...Rhe8 13. Nf4 Rd8=


12. f4	Unfortunately, it was only now that I realized I couldn't play 12... h6 on account of 13. f5 Bd5 14. c4
	1 comment elyhim (1200) on 30-Dec-12: this is bad because it forces you to triple your pawns on the f-file. What a mess!


12... gxf4	So, now my king is less safe and my pawn structure is even more dilapidated.
	1 comment elyhim (1200) on 30-Dec-12: I hope you learned your lesson. Next time play ...g6 and stack your rooks on the e and d file.


13. Bxf4 Rag8	Looking for counter-play down the g-file.
	1 comment elyhim (1200) on 30-Dec-12: why not! you are busted anyway you might as well go for broke.


14. c4 Bh3	I don't know why I hoped to catch my opponent napping with this.
	1 comment elyhim (1200) on 30-Dec-12: Oh now you should have neutered your opponent with 14. ...Bxf4 15. Nxf4 Rd8 16. Re1 Nb6 17. Bf5 Rxd4!? is unclear but looks better for white. Which is good for you because at least you have a chance to draw.


15. Bxd6+ Kxd6 16. Nf4	Obvious, even to me, as I saw it coming after 14... Bh3



16... Be6	I considered a retreat to g4, perhaps hoping to entice a structural weakening for White with 17. h3, but decided to head to the more central e6 immediately.



17. Rae1 Rg7	Looking to double up the rooks. This move isn't bad per se, but it does lead indirectly to my demise.



18. c5+ Kc7	Hoping to dash the king away on the queen side, but this is the losing blunder. And while 18... Ke7 is necessary, walking into the bishop pin looked ugly. Now I expected 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20. Rxe6, but was in for a rude shock.



19. Rxe6	Obviously now if 19... fxe6 20. Nxe6+ is a killer. So I resigned.
	3 comments elyhim (1200) on 30-Dec-12: A good game Hscer but I would like to point out a few things. #1 The caro-kann Koronchi variation is a rock solid defensive structure that is well known to be drawn is almost every case. #2 Then main counter attacking them for black is to attack d4. Black does so by playing ...g6-> Bg7->Rd8-> Qd6 etc. It is important for you to remember this because this attacking theme will hold white to a draw every time. If you wish to learn more about this type of defensive structure for black I will pm you a link to my personal caro-kann database. hscer (1774) on 30-Dec-12: Thanks for the review and instructive comments throughout. Yes, you can send me that. redfoxrising (2156) on 30-Dec-12: nice game, Thanks for sharing