My Caro-Kann - Part 3
GM Pavel Eljanov continues his Caro-Kann journey. While Part 1 and Part 2 have been dedicated to the Advance Variation, the current database deals with all White's deviations from 2.d4. Also, the author examines the Panov Attack which can arise via different move orders. All the remaining sysmtes will be covered in the last Part 4.
The database consists of 10 theoretical chapters, 10 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (2h and 40min Running Time).
Part 3 of his series is beginning with review of the trendy 2.Nf3 d5 3.d3!? After the early trade of the queens 5…Nf6 is the natural reply.
Chapter 1 covers White’s minor alternatives on move 6, as well as 6.Nfd2, planning to plant this knight later on the perfect c4-square and exert gradually pressure on the queenside. Black is therefore initiating counterplay of his own on the opposite wing by means of 6…h5 7.h4 Ng4. After 8.Ke1 e5 the subtle 9.g3!? is best met in similar manner by 9…b6, which consequences are analyzed in detail.
Chapter 2 deals with 6.Nbd2, where the author explains how the plan with 6…g6 and a timely Bf8-h6 neutralizes White’s intentions.
The Two Knights System 3.Nc3
The central exchange 3…dxe4 is recommended against 3.Nc3 instead of 3.d3!? as well. 4.Nxe4 Nf6 is the initial position and now:
Chapter 3 is about 5.Nxf6 exf6 and the tiny differences to the main 4…Nf6 Caro-Kann;
The game may take a more dynamic course after 5.Qe2 Nxe4 6.Qxe4 Nd7, which resembles a lot another (4…Nd7) main Caro-Kann variation.
Here the path diverges:
- 7.d4 Nf6 8.Qd3 in Chapter 4 is aimed against the smooth development of Bc8. A critical line is 8…Bg4 9.Ne5 Bh5 10.c3 e6 11.Qh3!, when 11…Bd6! is explored to a safe ending for Black;
- the subject of Chapter 5 is 7.Bc4 Nf6 8.Ne5, when 8…e6 locks the Caro-Kann bishop Bc8. However, after the most popular 9.Qe2 Black has the remarkable 9…b5! with every chance to take over the initiative. In many branches a deficit of a pawn or two is barely felt, even more, the leading text features a spectacular piece sacrifice, after which White seems to be happy to escape to a draw by repetition.
The Panov Attack and Other Systems with an Isolated Central Pawn
- Chapter 6 is dedicated to 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6, where many lines are similar or transpose to the Gruenfeld.
The author demonstrates how Black can equalize by 5…Nbd7 in reply to any of the checks, as well as after 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Bb5 g6;
The next two are concentrating on the pure Panov Attack 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nc3, where the emphasis is entirely on 5…Nc6 and now:
- Chapter 7 proves the reliability of answering 6…dxc4 to 6.Bg5 due to a timely questioning the bishop with h7-h6;
- Noteworthy, the same little move appears to be essential in the alternative main line 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qb3 Bxf3 9.gxf3 e6 10.Qxb7 Nxd4 11.Bb5 Nxb5 12.Qc6 Ke7 and White’s latest try 13.Qc5+!? instead of entering the well-trodden balanced ending after 13.Qxb5 Qd7.
After 13…Nd6 14.Nxd5 exd5 15. 0-0 it is exactly 15…h6!, which proves again to be the key to equality at least, see more in the annotations inside Chapter 8.
In Chapter 9 the attention switches to 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2, to which 3…e5 is recommended.
This system is supposed to continue in the spirit of KID reversed, the author reveals also the subtleties of the move orders with an early d3-d4 push. For instance, worth studying is the modern approach to meet 4.Ngf3 Bd6 5.d4 exd4 6.exd5 with 6…Nf6, where Black is immediately trying to seize the initiative.
Finally, in Chapter 10 all the minor alternatives on move 2 is mentioned, together with the ones on the next move after 2.Nc3 d5, but the leading text leads us back to the beginning of this Part 3 with 2.Nf3 d5 and here, instead of 3.d3!?, another hot deviation like 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ne5!? is coming into the limelight. In particular, after 4…Nc6 5.Bb5 Bd7 the readers are well-advised to look at the details about 6.Bxc6 Bxc6 7.0-0 and the instructive answer 7…e6!
SAMPLE CHAPTER
SAMPLE VIDEO