Caro Kann Classical

by Vidya
(India)

Caro Kann Classical Variation

Caro Kann Classical Variation

The Caro-Kann Defense is a chess opening introduced by Horatio Caro, the English chess player and Marcus Kann, the Australian chess player in 1886. This defense is usually performed against the King’s Pawn Opening and featured by e4 c6 moves.

The usual continuation is d4 d5. There are 4 variations for Caro-Kann Defense system. In Classical variation, this is followed by Nc3, in Modern Variation, it is followed by Nd2, in Exchange Variation, it is followed by exd5 and in Advanced Variation, it is followed by e5.

Of these, the Classical Variation is most popular. The Classical Variation is also known as Capablanca Variation. The Classical Variation is the most convenient and common way of handling the Caro Kann Defense. The moves of the Classical Variation of the Caro-Kann Defense are as follows:

1.e4 c5

2. d4 d5

3.Nc3

(or 3.Nd2)

3...dxe4

4.Nxe4 Bf5

5.Ng3 Bg6

6.h4 h6

7.Nf3 Nd7

8.h5 Bh7

9.Bd3 Bxd3

10.Qxd3

A player using the Caro-Kann must have a goal to contest the center and to develop without making severe weaknesses. In the Caro-Kann, the pawn structure is very important in all variations. Each variation has its own pawn structure. In Classical Variation of Caro-Kann, the opponent has a weak pawn. The Caro-Kann is not a flashy opening. It is a brilliant defense strategy.

Garry Kasparov, a famous Russian chess player, was well known for the use of Caro-Kann opening technique. One of his famous games against the Latvian master Mikhail using Caro-Kann strategy, in 1980 is shown below:

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Qc7 11. Bd2 Ngf6 12. Qe2

( 12. O-O-O )

12... e6 13. Ne5 c5 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. O-O-O Qa4 17. Bc3 Rc8 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Kb1 Be7 20. Rd3 Rg8 21. Rhd1 f5 22. Nxf5

( 22. c3 a5 23. Qd2 Bg5 24. Qe1 Kf8 25. Rd7 Qc6 26. R1d6 Qb5 27. Ka1 )

22... exf5 23. Re1 Qh4 24. Re3

( 24. g3 Qf6 25. Qd2 Kf8 26. Rxe7 Qxe7 27. Qxh6+ Rg7 28. Qh8+ Rg8 29. Qh6+ Rg7 30. Qh8+ Rg8 31. Qh6+ )

24... Rc7 25. Qb5+ Kf8 26. Qe5 f4 27. Re4 Rc5 28. Qxe7+ Qxe7 29. Rxe7 Rxg2 30. Rxb7 Rxf2 31. a4 f3 32. Re4 Rf5 33. Rb5

( 33. Rb8+ Kg7 34. Rg4+ Kf6)

34.axb5 Re2 35.Rf4 f2 36.Ka2 Rxc2 37.Kb3 Re2 38.Kc3 Ke7 39.b4 Ke6 40.Kd3 Rb2 0-1

Play through the moves of this great Caro Kann victory.

Comments for Caro Kann Classical

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Oct 24, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Quite Interesting Game
by: Sachin G S

Wow! this is really awesome. For an amateur chess player like me, it makes me think about the game in a fresh light. Looking forward to trying to implement this kind of play in my games. Anyways it was a good article. Post more like this. Thank you.
Oct 22, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Caro Kann Defense not for the Faint-Hearted
by: Bobby K Oommen

To a feeble minded player like me, this seems to be somewhere up there in the stratosphere. Of course, with some hard work, I could probably get into it and use it even. However, this might take some real work for which I am not willing right now. Maybe later after making a million or two. But thanks.
Oct 22, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstar 		A Fitting Tribute to a Master of Chess
by: Linda Thomas

Hard to believe that over a hundred and twenty five years later, that the famous game between Horatio Caro and Marcus Kann is still remembered in such a fitting way. I doubt he realised back then that his seventeen move victory would still be talked about.

Although Horatio Caro spent much of his chess career in Berlin, he was in fact English. Great article thank you for the read.
Oct 21, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Interesting Game
by: Billy W

A complex strategy like this really shows off the mastery of the winning player. Of course they are both masters but the winner just had a little extra this time around.
Oct 21, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Old ones are the Best
by: jyothika

Its a good, funny, mind teasing and interesting game. Shows what the Caro Kann can do when played with precision. These masters of old who played before the computers took over had to rely completely on their own deductions. That's why I respect them the most.

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