4. Model Game - Kraemer vs Keymer
With 3.e5, White fixes the pawn structure early and gains a certain space advantage. The pawn on e5 hinders the simple development of Black's kingside: the bishop and knight get in each other's way on e7.
Black faces similar challenges as in the French Advance, that is, a slightly cramped position, but enjoys the freedom of placing the light-squared bishop outside the pawn chain. It is essential to undermine White's powerful pawn centre: usually, he attacks the base with c5, but at times, f6 undermines the spearhead on e5.
White should look for ways to convert the space advantage into something concrete. After Black castles, attacking chances on the kingside occasionally arise.
A) 3…c5
One interesting option is 3…c5, when the pawn structures remain more fluid than in the pure Caro-Kann with 3…Bf5.
A1) Taimanov Structure
A relatively new idea for White is to allow the capture on d4 and then take the knight on c6. The Pawn structure then resembles the Taimanov-Rublevsky Sicilian.
Black has locked in his light-squared bishop but will deploy it via a6. It is advisable first to develop the knight to e7. Later, the horse usually jumps to g6 to put pressure on the pawn e5.
A2) French Structure
After 4.dxc5 e6, Black changes into a French structure and argues that White has lost time by eating on c5. In these lines, it is essential to counter with an early pawn to f6. If Black forgets about this, White can achieve a promising position with castling, Nb1–d2-b3, etc.
Black fights to clear the f6-square for his knight and is confident that the piece activity will compensate for the backwards pawn on e6.
A3) Pawn Sacrifice
White can try to cling to the Pawn on c5, but must accept problems in development to do so. With the pawn thrust a5 followed by b6, Black undermines White’s pawn mass and enjoys excellent compensation.
The joy over the extra pawn is only short-lived. White’s pieces are either still undeveloped or occupied with defending their own Pawns.
B) 3…Bf5
Black´s main reply is 3…Bf5, realising one main objective of the Caro Kann. It´s up to White what to do with the bishop: He can ignore it, try to chase it with a knight or exchange it for his light-squared bishop. In any case, a timely Pawn c5 offers sufficient counterplay.
We will now discuss the pawn structures that are typical for the four White main lines.
B1) Shirov-Attack: 4.Nc3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 5.Nge2
In the 1990s, the Shirov Attack enjoyed some popularity. White tries to chase down Black’s light-squared bishop or at least to create fire on the board. No wonder that Kasparov also liked to play this variation. In the meantime, however, Black has found reliable countermeasures, and White risks being left standing before the ruins of his overextended position.
The correct response to White’s aggression is 7...h5! The consistent 8.Nf4 should be met with Bh7. If White wants to be taken seriously, he should capture on h5, but after 9...Nc6, the white centre is on the verge of collapsing.
B2) Short Variation
A more quiet system was advocated by Nigel Short. White develops naturally with Nf3, Be2, 0-0, and answers Black’s pawn to c5 with Be3. This non-committal approach allows Black to choose between several interesting plans.
The classical response against the Short System is pawn to c5. If White plays cautiously and reinforces the centre with c3, we exchange on d4 and get the structure we dream of - namely, the French Advance with a fully developed light-squared bishop.
How does Black bring the dark-squared bishop into play? Two routes are available: after preparing with Bg4, towards the kingside, where the squares f5 and g6 are inviting; or towards the queenside via c8 to b6, with an alternative route leading via a7 to b5.
From White’s perspective, c3 is too passive: 6.Be3 develops and applies more pressure. The most reliable Black defence has proven to be the variation with Qb6 and Nc6.
Here, Black should be bold and gobble up the b2 pawn. However, it is essential to have a firm grasp of current theory.
The early pawn to c5 is theoretically sound, but it requires deep theoretical knowledge. Since White develops slowly, it is logical to adopt a waiting approach as well. Two ideas for this have recently come into fashion.
Instead of opening the position with ...c5, Black develops with Nd7 and secures space on the queenside with pawn to a5.
If White stops the brave a-pawn with 7.a4, Black attacks the White centre with 7...f6. In all other cases, Black pushes the a-pawn forward to a4. Another trend is to play 5...a6 and 6...Bg6. Black makes sensible waiting moves and forces White to reveal his plans.
If White plays Be3, Black can challenge the bishop with Nh6–f5, which is a key idea behind retreating the bishop to g6. If White plays c4, Black captures and gains perfect control over the d5 square. In virtually all other cases, Black is well prepared to attack White’s centre with ...c5.
This category also includes the setup with Nd2–b3. White attempts to push back against ...c5, but this effort is in vain. There are two good solutions for the second player.
Black can strike immediately with c5 or play a6 first to stop the computer’s Bb5+ idea. This means relinquishing the bishop pair, but the bishop on f5 remains strong, and the knights are likely to find excellent squares."
The standard solution against Nd2-b3 is to play the c5-break immediately. White has the pair of bishops; Black has no problems.
A subtler approach is to forgo c5 and instead ask what the knight is actually doing on b3. Black can make useful developing moves with Nd7 and Qc7, and against most White move orders, f6 will lead to good counterplay."
The early Be3 allows f6. The black monarch can later castle either kingside or queenside.
B3) 4.h4 Jobava Line
In recent years, the move 4.h4 has gained popularity. Black usually replies automatically with 4...h5, after which White can use g5 as an outpost for his pieces. Some creative players, however, have questioned whether g4 is really a threat and have concluded that it may actually be a weakness. Black has tried various approaches: h6 followed by Bh7 allows White’s e6, so the bishop should retreat along its original diagonal. The race for the most useful candidate move currently seems to favour 4...a6.
White has carried out the ‘threat’ of g4 but has not yet developed a single piece. Black is ready to obtain good counterplay with c5 and Nc6.
B4) 4.h4 h5 5.c4
Vachier Lagrave enjoys playing this variation and has had success with it. One of White’s main ideas is to capture on d5 at the right moment, exchange the bishop on f5, and make use of the space advantage. The following will present two counterstrategies.
The first idea is to capture on c4 quickly. White’s bishop can develop without losing a tempo, which causes no problems, since Black securely controls the d5 square.
White is sufficiently active to compensate for the backwards d4 pawn. With Be7, Black obtains adequate counterplay, and the knight on g8 can enter the game via h6.
Another idea is to clear the knight on c3 with Bb4 and then aim for dominance on the light squares. This strategy works just as well, even if White omits 4.h4 h5 and plays c4 on move four.
Through firm control of the light squares, Black solves the opening problems. The knight on b8 should jump to d7 to support f6.
B5) 4.h4 h5 5.Bd3
The 4.h4 h5 5.Bd3 line is currently the most popular choice for White players who aim for rapid development with Bg5, kingside castling etc.
The key question for Black is: to check, or not to check? The early check is currently en vogue, but it allows b4!? - a dangerous pawn sacrifice which, with accurate play, should lead to a draw. Black can also forgo the check entirely: from d8, the queen keeps the critical squares g5 and f6 under control.
Let’s take it step by step, beginning with 6...Qa5+.
The check prevents the white bishop from appearing on g5 too early because either the bishop or the knight will block the check. Later, the queen on a6 offers herself for exchange - endgames in this structure tend to be pleasant for Black.
For that reason, White usually keeps the queens on the board and aims for the following position.
Here, Black can achieve a good position with b6, followed by c5. Important: if dxc5, then Bxc5 is the reply. In this relatively closed position, the knights are very comfortable.
Another key idea: Black should castle as late as possible, since White can at any moment launch an unpleasant attack against the king.
A completely different story is the gambit 7.b4. After 7...Qxb4+ 8.Nd2 e6 9.Rb1 Qe7 10.c4 Nh6 11.Ne2 Nf5, we reach the following position.
Black is clearly underdeveloped, giving White promising compensation. With three or four precise theoretical moves, however, Black can maintain the balance, and with accurate play from both sides, the game should steer toward a draw.
Overall, the early queen excursion seems to have its drawbacks as well. For this reason, Dreev recommends a seemingly simple approach based on rapid development: 6...e6 7.Bg5 Be7, followed by 8...Nh6.
Black is ready to challenge the white centre with ...c5, but should first bring the knight closer to the centre with Nf5. White often captures with Bxh6, but after Rxh6, the rook can, for example, enter the game via the route h6–g6–g4.
GM Dreev presents here his solution to what is probably the most dangerous Advance Variation at the moment: Caro-Kann According to Dreev – Part 1
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5
A) 3…c5
3...c5 is less popular than 3...Bf5, but it is fully sound and can lead to sharp, double-edged positions. It often results in structures that White is not accustomed to.
A1) 4.Nf3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 (5.Qd4 Nc6 6.Qf4 e6 7.Bd3 Nb4! Black captures the potentially dangerous bishop on d3 and continues development with Ne7–g6.)
5…Nc6 6.Nxc6 (6.c4!? dxc4 7.Nxc6 Qxd1+ 8.Kxd1 bxc6 9.Bxc4 Bf5 followed by 10…e6 and 11...Ne7 with a comfortable game for Black)
6…bxc6 7.Bd3 e6 8.0-0 a5 9.Nd2 Ba6, and Black has solved his problems with the light-squared bishop.
A2) 4.dxc5 e6 5.Nf3 Bxc5. Here, it is essential to challenge the centre immediately with 6…f6. Otherwise, White could reach an easy-to-play position.
6.Bd3 (6.a3 f6! 7.b4 Be7! 8.Bd2 a5 9.b5 Nd7 and Black can increase the pressure against e5 with Nh6-f7)
6…f6! 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Qe2 fxe5 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.Qxe5 Nf6
Black will castle and, if necessary, drive the white queen away with Bd6.
A3) 4.dxc5 e6 5.Be3 White is stingy and does not want to return the pawn.
5…Nd7 6.Bb5 Ne7 7.Bd4 (7.Nf3 Nf5 and Black will eat the bishop e3 with full compensation; 7.c3 a6! 8.Ba4 Nc6 9.b4 Sdxe5 thanks to the move ...a6, the horse can later hop to c4.)
7…Nf5 (7…Nc6 is another interesting option) 8.c3 Be7 9.b4 0-0 10.Nf3 a5! with developing advantage and good counterplay.
The 3...c5 variation is analysed convincingly by Dreev: Caro-Kann According to Dreev – Beat the Advance Variation with 3…c5.
B) 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5
B1) Shirov Attack
4.Nc3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nge2 c5 7.h4 h5! 8.Nf4 Bh7 9.Nxh5 Nc6, and the white centre is on the verge of collapsing.
B2) Short Variation
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2
B2.1) 5…c5 6.Be3 (6.c3 Nc6 7.0-0 cxd4 8.cxd4 Nge7 is harmless for Black) 6…Qb6!? 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.0-0 Qxb2!
The seemingly natural 10.Nb5 does not achieve the desired effect: after 10...c4 11.Nc7+ Kd7 12.Nxa8 Bxc2, Black seizes the initiative despite being down a rook.
Therefore, White should opt for 9.Qe1! The main line runs 9…cxd4 10.Bxd4 Nxd4 11.Nxd4 Bb4 12.Ndb5!
Now, only 12...Ba5! allows Black to stay in the game.
A comprehensive analysis from White’s perspective is provided by GM Efimenko: he admits that Black achieves equality with precise play. Ambitious Repertoire against the Caro-Kann.
The fun in this variation clearly lies with White. For this reason, two calmer alternatives should be considered.
B2.2) 5…Nd7 6.0-0 a5!? 7.a4 (7.c3 a4, 7.Sbd2 a4) f6!
The most popular line runs 8.c4 fxe5 9.dxe5 Bc5 10.Nbd2 Ne7 11.Nb3 Ba7 and now the engine move 12.Bd2!? can be countered by 12…Bb8 with pressure against e5. The wide array of other White options on move eight are analysed in detail by Dreev: Deep Preparation – Eljanov's Caro-Kann.
Jobava also recommends a sit-and-wait strategy:
B2.3) 5…a6 6.0-0 Bg6. The most common reply now is 7.Sbd2, when the main line proceeds with 7…c5 8.c4!? Nc6 9.cxd5 exd5 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.Nb3 Bb6.
After Nge7 and 0-0, Black is fully developed with a complicated struggle ahead.
If you enjoy this creative approach, you can find this and more here: Jobava´s Creative Caro Kann.
Another idea stolen from that course is the following line:
B3) 1.e4 e5 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 a6!?
An illustrative variation proceeds as follows:
5.g4 Bd7 6.Bg2 e6 7.f4 h5! 8.g5 Ne7, and White was suffering from a glaring hole on f5 in Schneider-Sakaev 2007.
With the pawn on g4 posing more of a liability than an asset, 5.h5!? appears to be a promising attempt by White. 5…c5 6.dxc5 Nc6 7.Bd3! Qd7 8.Ne2 e6! This is the correct response for Black, leading to double-edged play.
For such creative chess, as always, GM Baadur Jobava is the man to watch: Jobava´s Creative Caro Kann.
B4) 1.e4 e5 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.c4 e6 6.Nc3
B4.1) 6…Bb4 7.cxd5 (7.Qb3 a5! Black lures the white pawn to a3 to prevent the bishop from reaching that square 8.a3 dxc4 9.Bxc4 Bxc3+ 10.Qxc3 Ne7 11.Bg5 Nd7 12.Ne2 f6! with counterplay) 7…cxd5 8.Bg5 Ne7 9.Bd3 Qa5 10.Nge2 Nbc6 11.0-0 Bxd3 12.Qxd3 Nf5 Black has harmoniously placed his pieces, and the intruder on g5 is being questioned with Be7.
The exact same strategy can also be applied against 4.c4. GM Grigorov provides helpful explanations on this system: Play the Caro-Kann Part 1.
Another approach is to quickly capture on c4, signalling to White that Black will maintain control over the d5 square indefinitely.
B4.2) 6…dxc4 7.Bxc4 Nd7 8.Nge2 (8.Bg5 Be7) 8…Be7 attacking the pawn on h4.
B4.2.1) 9.g3 Nh6 10.0-0?! g5! Black uses his central control to launch a kingside attack.
In this system, Black can generally keep the king in the centre for quite some time, and castling on the queenside is sometimes a good option as well.
B4.2.2) 9.Ng3 Bg6 10.Be2 Qb6 11.Be3 and Black get’s a good game with both 11…Rd8 and 11…Nh6.
The specialist in these lines is GM Dreev: Caro-Kann According to Dreev – Part 1.
B5) 1.e4 e5 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3
The starting position of the most crucial theoretical line in the Caro-Kann Advance.
B5.1) The simple solution is 6…e6 7.Bg5 Be7 8.Nf3 Nh6 9.Bxh6 (9.c4 dxc4 10.Qxc4 Nd7 with good control; 9.Nc3 Nf5 followed by 10…c5) 9…Rxh6 10.Nbd2 c5! with sufficient counterplay. 11.dxc5 should be countered with 11…Na6, developing the knight with tempo.
B5.2) 6…e6 7.Nf3 Qa5+ 8.Nbd2 Nh6. This position can also be reached via the move order 6…Qa5+ 7.Nbd2 e6 8.Nf3 Nh6, but 6…e6 avoids the gambit 7.b4!?.
Two routes lead to the very same position. 9.0-0 Nf5 10.Nb3 Qa6 11.Qc3!? (11.Qd1 b6! prepares …c5.) 11…Qb6 planning …a5 12.Bg5 a5 executing the plan and reaching sufficient counterplay.
13.a4 Nd7 and Black is ready for …c5.
B5.3) 6…Qa5+ tries to be clever and prevent an early Bg5. 7.b4!? (7.Nbd2 leads to the variation discussed above.) 7…Qxb4+ 8.Nbd2 e6 9.Rb1 Qe7 10.c4! (Against 10.Nf3 or 10.Nge2 Black locks the queenside with 10…b5!) 10…Nh6 11.Ne2 Nf5
12.Nf3 allows 12…dxc4 13.Qxc4 b5 blocks securely the b-file.
Therefore 12.Ng3!? Nxh4 and the miracle move 13.Nde4!! justifies White’s gambit play.
Two rich sources of ideas for White: GM Papaioannou’s Practical 1.e4 Repertoire for White and Dreev/Jobaba/Basso: Caro-Kann for White - Top-Level Repertoire.
How to defend with Black: GM Grigorov, Play the Caro-Kann - Part 1 and GM Dreev, Caro-Kann According to Dreev – Part 1.
The Advance Variation gives White a space advantage by fixing the pawn structure early with 3.e5. Black faces a cramped position similar to the French Defence, but has the significant advantage of being able to develop the light-squared bishop outside the pawn chain. Black's main strategy involves undermining White's centre, typically with ...c5 or sometimes ...f6.
Black has two main options to meet the Advance Variation:
The double-edged 3…c5 Leads to fluid pawn structures and sharp, double-edged positions. After 4.dxc5 e6, we frequently get positions resembling the French Defence with Black having lost a tempo playing …c6-c5, but White having captured on c5, which simplifies Black’s kingside development.
The solid 3…Bf5 is the traditional, main line, giving both sides various options during the next moves, that can lead to either pronounced positional play or a sharp, complex fight.
Key Strategic Themes