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The aggressive Caro-Kann
Updates: 2021 GCT Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz
15/08/2021 – The 4th Leg of the GCT Saint Louis Rapid 2021 is an exciting, all action event as shown in our featured game: GM Le, Quang Liem (Vietnam) vs GM Jeffery Xiong (USA). I have not used Caro-Kann defense in my entire chess playing years. My preference is the Sicilian or other sharp openings.
However, GM Xiong’s aggressive style modified the Caro-Kann to a sharp/combative opening, beating GM Le Quang Liem in just 20 moves.
The Advanced Variation vs Caro-Kann : Advancing e4 to e5 seems a typical control of space at the center. The aim of white is to either set up an attack at black’s kingside or break black’s central pawn via c4. Styles make fights equals good entertainment.
CHESS BLOG No. 16 : Date: 15th August 2021
INTRODUCTION: THE ADVANCED VARIATION
The Advanced Variation: (B12) Chess Opening Classification
GM Le, Quang Liem. vs. GM Xiong, Jeffery
(Event: 2021 GCT – Saint Loius Chess Club, USA)
1. e4 c6 (The Caro-Kann defense)
2. d4 d5
3. e5 Bf5 (Bringing out the bishop is necessary)
4. Nd2 e6
5: Nb3 Nd7 (standard piece deployment by black)
6. Be3 Qc7
7. Nf3 f6 (First strike!!)
Let’s analyze this position:
- Both kings not castled
- White’s center control soon be broken.
- Obviously, black can undermine the center and will be the first to attack.
- Either white will castle at queen-side or king-side which is safer.
8. Bd3 Bg4 (Nice pin)
9. exf6 Nxf6
10. h3 Bxf3
11. Qxf3 Bd6
12. c4 Bb4 ch
13. Kf1 0-0 (white position is terrible)
14. Qe2 Rae8 (All set)
15. g3 e5 (Strike 2)
16. dxe5 Nxe5
17. Kg2 c5
18. Bg5 Qc6 (Queen at c6 is diagonally aligned to the white king at g2)
19. Bxf6 Nxd3
Let us check this interesting position here. Actually, at move 20, white resigned. I want to emphasize that "there is always time to attack and time to defend" but opposite what happened in this game. Always move on, learn from mistakes.
ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW
