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ANNOTATED GAME

SCCF Championship
bakerbaker (1795) vs. Haochi (1791)
Annotated by: bakerbaker (1200)
Chess opening: Caro-Kann (B10), anti-Caro-Kann defence
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Pages: 12
1. e4
This game shows how I exploited my opponent's overextended position, when he tried to kingside pawnstorm me.

 
1... c6
Me, and many others consider this opening passive, but I guess it's playable.

 
2. c4
Slightly better is d4, leading to classical Caro-Kann positions, but since I'm familiar with this variation, and don't study the Caro-Kann much, I decided to play c4 which will lead to a wide open tactical game if Black plays d5, exactly what I want.

 
2... g6
Instead of playing d5 leading to a position I'm more familiar with, Black plays g6, which will transpose into an entirely different opening that HE is more familiar with.

 
3. Nc3
I think d4 may be better, because it stops e5, which will lead to a somewhat equal position. I should've played d4 on the second move to try for an advantage.

 
3... Bg7
Black probably didn't want to block his dark bishop, but he ended up playing e5 anyway.

 
4. d4 d6
Threatening an e5 boost.

 
5. h3
Not completely necessary, but I don't want Bg4 to force a trade when I play Nf3. Another strategy for White in this opening is to play Be3 Qd2 (f3 if necessary) and O-O-O, with ideas to push the kingside pawns, leading to an attack similar to what is commonly played against the Sicilian.

 
5... e5
Now the position is like the King's Indian Defense, played against 1.d4, but where Black hasn't played Nf6.

 
6. dxe5
This is the exchange variation. Nf3 leads to positions similar to the English (1.c4), and d5 leads to the normal variations of this opening.

 
6... dxe5
Bxe5 isn't the main variation, but also playable since it threatens to take on c3 leaving me with isolated doubled pawns.

 
7. Qc2
Trading queens is drawish, because Black's king can get to safety on c7, and Black's position will be completely solid.

 
7... Ne7
Nf6 is a more common position, but Ne7 is better in this particular move order.

 
8. Nf3 O-O 9. Be2
White usually fianchettoes this bishop to add to control of d5, but I don't need to because Black doesn't have a d-pawn to threaten a d5 breakthrough.

 
9... Qc7
The best position for Black's queen in this opening.

 
10. O-O h6
Black's plan is to play f5-f4 and g5 to pawnstorm my kingside, but he ends up overextending his position, giving my forces access to his king.

 
11. Rd1
Places rook on open file, but Be3 may be more accurate.

 
11... Be6 12. c5
Gaining space on the queenside while taking claim to Black's weak d6 square.

 
12... Nd7 13. Be3 f5
Black starts his pawnstorm on my king's position, but overextends his own king's position.

 
14. Rd6
Black's overextended pawns have weakened the squares near his king, which I exploited nicely.

 

Pages: 12