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[Event "Import"] [Site "https://lichess.org/YaDc944a"] [Date "2022.04.14"] [Round "?"] [White "Zia, Tahsin Tajwar"] [Black "Erigaisi, Arjun"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/CheckRaiseMate"] [ECO "A45"] [Opening "Indian Defense"] [Termination "Unknown"] [TimeControl "-"] [UTCDate "2022.12.08"] [UTCTime "03:05:30"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 Nd5 4. Bg3 Qb6 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Qa5 7. Qd2 d6 8. Bd3 g6 9. h4 Bg7 10. Ne2 Nc6 11. h5 d5 12. Nf4 c4 13. Be2 Bf5 14. Bh2 g5 15. Nh3 h6 16. g4 Bh7 17. f4 gxf4 18. exf4 Be4 19. Rg1 O-O-O 20. Nf2 Bxc2 21. Rc1 Bh7 22. g5 Bf5 23. Ng4 e6 24. Ne3 Be4 25. Bg4 Rde8 26. Nf1 Bf8 27. Ng3 Bd3 28. a3 Bd6 29. Rd1 Qc7 30. Nf1 Bxf1 31. Rxf1 hxg5 32. Rb1 f5 33. Bd1 g4 34. Bg3 Rxh5 35. Kf2 Bxa3 36. Ba4 Reh8 37. Kg2 Qh7 38. Qe3 Rh2+ 39. Kg1 Nd8 { 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1
[Event "Dubai bin Rashid Cup Blitz"] [Site "Dubai"] [Date "2021.12.09"] [Round "8"] [White "Sukandar, Irine Kharisma"] [Black "Santos Ruiz, Miguel"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/CheckRaiseMate"] [BlackElo "2527"] [ECO "A45"] [Opening "Indian Defense"] [UTCDate "2022.12.08"] [UTCTime "18:57:07"] [Variant "Standard"] [WhiteElo "2265"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 Nd5 4. Bg3 Qb6 5. b3 cxd4 6. exd4 g6 7. c3 Bg7 8. Bc4 Nf6 9. Nf3 Nc6 10. O-O O-O 11. Nbd2 d5 12. Bd3 Bg4 13. Re1 e6 14. b4 Rfc8 15. a4 Nh5 16. a5 Qd8 17. a6 b6 18. Qa4 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Bxf3 20. Nxf3 Rc7 21. Red1 Ne7 22. Rac1 Rac8 23. Qa3 Qd6 24. Nd2 Bh6 25. Qb2 Bg7 26. Nb1 e5 27. dxe5 Qxe5 28. Re1 Qf6 29. Qe2 Nc6 30. Rcd1 Ne5 31. Bb5 Re7 32. Qd2 Rd8 33. Re2 Ng4 34. Rde1 Rxe2 35. Rxe2 Qf5 36. Qd3 Qh5 { 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1
[Event "Anti-London \| Crazy Knight Attack: Reference File"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/rxrdqKAi/xvkqHTsx"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/CheckRaiseMate"] [ECO "A45"] [Opening "Indian Defense"] [UTCDate "2022.12.08"] [UTCTime "02:40:02"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 ( 3. d5 b5 { I like this move, going for a Benko Gambit-like setup. We're thinking about surrounding the d-pawn. [%csl Rd5][%cal Gc8b7,Gb7d5] } 4. c4 ( 4. a4 b4 5. c4 d6 { With a strategic battle ahead. The break ...e5 can be a good way to gain space in the center. [%cal Ge7e5] } ) 4... g6 5. cxb5 a6 6. bxa6 Bg7 { With a Benko where White has played the not-very-helpful Bf4. [%cal Ge8g8,Gc8a6] } ) ( 3. c3 Qb6 { This works great now. } 4. Qb3 Qxb3 5. axb3 cxd4 6. cxd4 { The doubled isolated b-pawns are a weakness. [%csl Rb3,Rb2] } 6... Nc6 7. e3 Nd5 { This knight again! } 8. Bg3 Ndb4 $15 { The knights can't be dislodged. [%cal Gd7d5,Gc8f5] } ) 3... Nd5 4. Bg3 ( 4. Bxb8 Rxb8 5. c3 { This was the choice of Aman Hambleton vs. Lawrence Trent in their chessboxing match. It reflects the tendency of London players to go for their favorite structure no matter what, but objectively giving up the bishop pair so easily shouldn't cause Black any problems at all. } 5... e6 { [%cal Gf8e7,Ge8g8,Gb7b6,Gc8b7] } ) 4... Qb6 { [%csl Rb2][%cal Gb6b2] } 5. b3 ( 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 { [%csl Rc3][%cal Gf8g7,Gg7c3] } ) ( 5. Qc1 cxd4 6. exd4 Qxd4 7. Nf3 Qc5 { White has some compensation in the form of better development, but in the long run 2 center pawns to 0 is a big advantage. } ) ( 5. c4 Nf6 ( 5... Qxb2 6. cxd5 Qxa1 7. Qc2 { [%csl Ra1] } ) ) 5... cxd4 6. exd4 ( 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. exd4 Nc6 ) 6... g6 ( 6... e5 $6 { This ALMOST works! Maybe worth a shot just to make a London player spit out their drink. } 7. dxe5 ( 7. Bxe5 $2 Bb4+ 8. Nd2 d6 9. Bxg7 Rg8 { is great for Black! [%cal Gg8g7,Gb6d4] } ) 7... Bb4+ 8. Nd2 { Unfortunately White is much better here. } ) 7. Nf3 ( 7. c4 Nf6 8. Nc3 Qa5 9. Qd2 Bh6 $1 10. f4 ( 10. Qxh6 ) 10... O-O { The computer says this is equal, but I'd rather have Black. White's pawns look overextended and the knight on c3 is loose. [%cal Gd7d5,Gb8c6] } ) 7... Bh6 $5 { Bg7 is also okay, but I like this weird developing move. It prepares a knight jump to f3 and lays down crossfire on d2. } 8. Bd3 Qa5+ $1 9. Nbd2 Nc3 10. Qc1 Nc6 { [%cal Gh6c1,Ga5e1] }
[Event "The Caro-Kann Defenseüèπ: The Caro-Kann Defense"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/Sw1lC13A/cu0v5LwH"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense"] [UTCDate "2021.03.04"] [UTCTime "01:53:43"] [Variant "Standard"] { Hello! In this study, you will be learning the Caro-Kann Defense. The Caro-Kann defense was created in the 1800s by--well, Misters Caro and Kann, and is a great opening against 1. e4, the most common move. This opening is very solid and it is not attacked easily. You should try this out in one of your games :D } 1. e4 { In the Caro-Kann you have to respond with 1. ...c6, preparing 2. ...d5. [%csl Re4,Gc7][%cal Re2e4] } 1... c6 { This move prepares 2. ...d5. [%csl Gc6][%cal Gc7c6] } 2. d4 { 2. d4 is a good move because it puts two pawns in the center. What did we play c6 for? [%csl Rd4,Re4,Bd7,Rc5,Rd5,Re5,Rf5][%cal Rd2d4,Re4f5,Re4d5,Rd4e5,Rd4c5] } 2... d5 { This is the Caro-Kann defense. Super solid! Many players are not expecting this so this should be a good game for you. This opening is also very easy to memorize: only 3 branches! Our opponent can either leave the e pawn there, take the d pawn, or push it. In this study we will be going to go over all 3 of them. [%csl Gd5,Bc6,Rd4,Re4][%cal Gd7d5] }
[Event "The Caro-Kann Defenseüèπ: Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/Sw1lC13A/NPdgkdVm"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"] [ECO "B19"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Spassky Variation"] [UTCDate "2021.03.04"] [UTCTime "02:08:50"] [Variant "Standard"] { Play everything you have learned so far. } 1. e4 { The move? [%csl Gc7,Re4][%cal Re2e4] } 1... c6 { [%csl Gc6][%cal Gc7c6,Bd7d5] } 2. d4 { What did we play c6 for? [%csl Rd4][%cal Rd2d4] } 2... d5 { Yes! In this chapter we will be looking at the Classical variation of the Caro-Kann Defense. This is the variation where our opponent leaves the e pawn there. [%csl Re4,Rd4,Gd5,Gc6] } 3. Nc3 { Whenever our opponent leaves the e pawn there, we will take it. Play it now. [%csl Rc3,Bd5][%cal Rb1c3] } 3... dxe4 { [%csl Ge4][%cal Gd5e4] } 4. Nxe4 { How do you attack the center knight with your bishop? [%csl Re4,Bc8][%cal Rc3e4] } 4... Bf5 { [%csl Gf5,Be4][%cal Gc8f5,Bf5e4] } 5. Ng3 { Our opponent retreats their knight and attacks our bishop. How do we retreat our bishop? [%csl Rg3,Yf5][%cal Re4g3,Yg3f5] } 5... Bg6 { [%csl Gg6][%cal Gf5g6] } 6. h4 { White wants to trap our bishop! Make a space for it on h7. [%csl Rh4,Yh5,Rf5,Re4,Rd3,Rc2][%cal Rh2h4,Yh4h5] } 6... h6 { [%csl Gh6,Bh7][%cal Gh7h6,Bg6h7] } 7. Nf3 { In this position, Nd7 is the only move. If you don't play it, Ne5 is coming, and just trust me, this will not be a position you want to play. [%csl Rf3][%cal Rg1f3] } 7... Nd7 { [%csl Gd7,Re5][%cal Gb8d7,Rd7e5] } 8. h5 { [%csl Rh5,Yg6][%cal Rh4h5,Yh5g6] } 8... Bh7 { [%csl Gh7][%cal Gg6h7] } 9. Bd3 { When the bishop comes out, you have to take. [%csl Rd3][%cal Rf1d3,Bh7d3] } 9... Bxd3 { [%csl Gd3][%cal Gh7d3] } 10. Qxd3 { The dark squared bishop is terrible. How do we improve it? [%csl Rd3,Yf8,Ye7][%cal Rd1d3] } 10... e6 { [%csl Ge6,Ba3,Bb4,Bc5,Bd6,Be7,Bf8][%cal Ge7e6,Bf8a3] } 11. Bd2 { Develop your g knight. What's the best square? [%csl Rd2,Bg8][%cal Rc1d2] } 11... Ngf6 { [%csl Gf6][%cal Gg8f6] } 12. O-O-O { Yes! This is a typical position in the classical variation of the Caro-Kann. You can develop your bishop to d6, castle on the king side, and then go aggressive and attack the white king with a5-a4 and just smash white. This will be a good game for you with a lot of attacking plans, as well as a completely solid pawn structure. Go to the next chapter to learn about the Advanced variation. [%csl Rc1,Bd6,Bg8,Ba4,Ba5,Bb5,Bb4][%cal Re1c1,Bf8d6,Be8g8,Ba7a5,Ba5a4,Bb7b5,Bb5b4] }
[Event "The Caro-Kann Defenseüèπ: Caro-Kann Defense: Advanced Variation"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/Sw1lC13A/nEAlOmhD"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"] [ECO "B12"] [FEN "rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3p4/3PP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Short Variation"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.03.04"] [UTCTime "02:52:54"] [Variant "Standard"] { In this chapter we will be looking at the Advanced Variation of the Caro-Kann. This is when our opponent pushes the e4 pawn. This looks scary, but don't worry! White has wasted 3 tempo building this center, so you will be ahead in development. If we manage to undermine his center with pawn breaks such as c5, we will be ahead. Also super solid. [%csl Re4,Rd4,Gd5,Gc6] } 1. e5 { Before we play e6, we have to develop this bishop. If we close down the pawn chain first with e6, this bishop will be miserable for the rest of the game. So, where to? [%csl Bc8,Re5][%cal Re4e5] } 1... Bf5 { If you get the opportunity to trade this bishop off, do so, it is almost useless because it is on light squares, and all of your pawns will be on light squares later on. It will be staring at the c pawn for the rest of the game. [%csl Gf5,Bc2][%cal Gc8f5,Bf5c2] } 2. Nf3 { This bishop is terrible. How do we make it better? [%csl Rf3,Bf8][%cal Rg1f3] } 2... e6 { Yay :D [%csl Ba3,Bb4,Bc5,Bd6,Be7,Ge6][%cal Ge7e6,Bf8a3] } 3. Be2 { How do we break down this extreme center with a pawn break? [%csl Rd4,Re5,Re2,Gc6][%cal Rf1e2] } 3... c5 { Keep this in mind. White wasted 3 moves building this gigantic center, so if we break it down with moves like c5, we will be much better. Do this by adding extreme presure, Knight out to c6, Queen out to b6 :D [%csl Gc5,Bd4][%cal Gc6c5,Bc5d4] } 4. O-O { Develop this knight. [%csl Rg1,Bb8][%cal Re1g1] } 4... Nc6 { [%csl Gc6][%cal Gb8c6] } 5. c3 { Capture the pawn. [%csl Rc3][%cal Rc2c3] } 5... cxd4 { [%csl Gd4][%cal Gc5d4] } 6. cxd4 { The g knight develops to g6. How do we put it there? [%csl Rd4,Bg8][%cal Rc3d4] } 6... Nge7 { Yes! Now we put the e knight on g6, get our dark squared bishop out, and castle. If you trade your light squared bishop away, f5 is a very very nice square for your knight. White has a space advantage, but you are a tempo up and you have a very solid position. This should be a good game for you :D [%csl Bg6,Bb5,Bb6,Yb4,Bf5,Ye7][%cal Gg8e7,Be7g6,Ba7a6,Bb7b5,Bd8b6,Yf8b4,Be7f5] }
[Event "The Caro-Kann Defenseüèπ: Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/Sw1lC13A/oYCSOl0r"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"] [ECO "B13"] [FEN "rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3p4/3PP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 3"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.03.04"] [UTCTime "03:09:11"] [Variant "Standard"] { In the Exchange Variation of the Caro-Kann defense, our opponent takes on d5. This is the easiest to play. Also very solid! } 3. exd5 { They take we take back. [%csl Rd5][%cal Re4d5] } 3... cxd5 { Nice! Now we develop knights before bishops. [%csl Gb8,Gg8,Bc8,Bf8,Gd5][%cal Gc6d5] } 4. Nf3 { Develop this knight. [%csl Rf3,Gg8][%cal Rg1f3] } 4... Nf6 { [%csl Gf6][%cal Gg8f6] } 5. Bd3 { And now where should this knight go? [%csl Bb8,Rd3][%cal Rf1d3] } 5... Nc6 { [%csl Gc6][%cal Gb8c6] } 6. c3 { Now before playing e6, we must get this bishop out of the pawn chain or else it will be dead for the rest of the game. Where should it go? [%csl Bc8,Rc3][%cal Rc2c3] } 6... Bg4 { If our opponent pins you, Bd7 is also good. [%csl Gg4,Ye8,Yc6,Bd7][%cal Gc8g4,Rd3b5,Yb5e8] } 7. Bf4 { Now close the chain of pawns :D It is good because it brightens the dark squared bishop. [%csl Rf4][%cal Rc1f4] } 7... e6 { [%csl Ge6][%cal Ge7e6] } 8. O-O { Get the dark squared bishop out and castle. [%csl Bf8,Rg1][%cal Re1g1] } 8... Bd6 { [%csl Gd6][%cal Gf8d6] } 9. Bxd6 { Don't do anything crazy lol! [%csl Rd6][%cal Rf4d6] } 9... Qxd6 { [%csl Gd6][%cal Gd8d6] } 10. Nbd2 { Your king is unsafe! [%csl Ye8,Rd2][%cal Rb1d2] } 10... O-O { Yes! You have a great position. Now, try to push on the queen side, put your rooks in the center, and maybe put a knight in the center as well! The engine marks it as equal because of how great your structure is. A common plan for white is to place his f3 knight into the center, so that is a thing to keep in mind. This will be a great game for you :D [%csl Gg8,Bc8,Bd8,Bb5,Ba6,Ye5][%cal Ge8g8,Ba8c8,Bf8d8,Ba7a6,Bb7b5,Yf3e5] }
[Event "The Caro-Kann Defenseüèπ: Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Variation"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/Sw1lC13A/Sitn2F0Y"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"] [ECO "B11"] [FEN "rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2p5/8/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation, Exchange Line"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.03.14"] [UTCTime "00:22:44"] [Variant "Standard"] { In this chapter, we will be looking at the Two Knights variation of the Caro-Kann. The Two Knights variation is a bit more complicated in terms of theory, but you have to learn how to play it. White starts by playing 2. Nc3. } 1. Nc3 { Well, complete your Caro-Kann pawn chain :D [%csl Rc3][%cal Rb1c3] } 1... d5 { [%csl Gd5,Gc6,Re4,Rc3][%cal Gd7d5] } 2. Nf3 { Here is the starting position of the Two Knights Variation. The best move for black is to move your bishop out to g4. If you play e6, it cannot develop and it will be useless so we have to develop it first. [%csl Rf3,Re4,Rc3,Gd5,Gc6,Bc8][%cal Rg1f3] } 2... Bg4 { [%csl Gg4,Yf3,Yd1][%cal Gc8g4,Yg4d1] } 3. h3 { Oof! We got kicked! Well, since all of our pawns will be on light squares, we won't need another defender of the light squared. Go ahead and trade the bishop off. [%csl Rh3,Yg4,Yf3][%cal Rh2h3] } 3... Bxf3 { [%csl Gf3][%cal Gg4f3] } 4. Qxf3 { Ok! This is the position where it starts to get theoretical. Now, close down and lock your pawn chain so that everything is super solid. [%csl Rf3,Bf7,Bd5,Bc6,Bb7,Ye6,Re7][%cal Rd1f3] } 4... e6 { Yes! Here is where things start branching out. The moves for white are 5. g3, 5. d3, 5. d4, and 5. Be2. If your opponent every plays e5 and d4, just undermine that center with pawn breaks like c4 and break it up, like in the Advanced variation. Your job is to play g6 and Bg7, fianchettoing the bishop on the long diagonal, Ne7, Nd7, and castle short. From here, you will have a good game. Your opponent is ahead in development, but that is not a threat because of your absolutely solid pawn chain. To learn more theory, watch this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5OjT1K_s58 [%csl Ge6,Gf7,Gd5,Gc6,Gb7,Bg7,Bg6,Bc3,Ye7,Yd7,Gg8][%cal Ge7e6,Bg7g6,Bf8g7,Bg7c3,Yg8e7,Yb8d7,Ge8g8] }
[Event "The Caro-Kann Defenseüèπ: Caro-Kann Defense: Fantasy Variation"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/Sw1lC13A/CR8dLUpD"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"] [ECO "B12"] [FEN "rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3p4/3PP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Mar√≥czy Variation"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.03.12"] [UTCTime "00:06:50"] [Variant "Standard"] { There is one more tricky variation white can play on you, and you can get destroyed if you don't play it correctly. In this chapter, I will tell you how to play the Fantasy variation. This starts with f3, with the idea of exchanging pawns and remaining with two pawns in the center. [%csl Re4,Rd4,Gc6,Gd5] } 1. f3 { The best move is dxe5. g6 and Bg7 is ok as well, but this is better. If Nf3, there is e5, f4, c6, Nf3, and there is a huge pawn wall heading your way, dominating your center and crushing your space. Therefore the best move is dxe4. [%csl Bf6,Ye5,Yf4,Rf3,Yc3,Yd4,Bd5][%cal Rf2f3,Bg8f6,Ye4e5,Yf3f4,Yg1f3,Yc1e3,Yf1d3,Yc2c3] } 1... dxe4 { [%csl Ge4][%cal Gd5e4] } 2. fxe4 { The only move here is e5. If not, white sends a wall of pawns your way. For example, Nf6, and e5 is coming, then c5, and white gets a gigantic center. [%csl Re4,Bf6,Bd5,Yc4,Bb6,Ye5,Yd4,Ge7][%cal Rf3e4,Bg8f6,Ye4e5,Bf6d5,Yc2c4,Bd5b6,Ye1h1,Yf1f7] } 2... e5 { If dxe5, you can play Qa4+, and then get the pawn, and you are better because white has an over-extended, isolated, e pawn. [%csl Ge5,Bh4,Be1,Be4][%cal Ge7e5,Yd4e5,Bd8h4,Bh4e1,Bh4e4] } 3. Nf3 { Now, white coninues with Nf3, and here, you have to pin it to the queen with the highlighted piece. How do you do that? [%csl Gf3,Bc8][%cal Gg1f3] } 3... Bg4 { [%csl Gg4,Bd1,Bf3][%cal Gc8g4,Bg4d1] } 4. Bc4 { Now in this position, the only move is Nd7. If you play a regular move like Nf6, Bxf7+, Kxf7, and Nxe5+, forking the king and the bishop to win back material. White will be up 2 pawns and your king is just terrible. Nd7 protects the e5 pawn. [%csl Rc4,Bf6,Bf7,Ye5,Yg4][%cal Rf1c4,Bg8f6,Bc4f7,Be8f7,Ye5f7,Ye5g4,Gf3e5] } 4... Nd7 { [%csl Gd7,Be5][%cal Gb8d7,Bd7e5] } 5. c3 { The point of c3 is to put the queen on b3 and create threats on f7 and b7. Now, just finish development and castle. If you play like this, you will not get crushed and you have a fighting chance. The dark square bishop goes to d6, the g knight develops classically, then you can castle. Plans maybe are pushing on the queen side with those 3 pawns. You can even use this against the Caro-Kann, here is a link on how to play it. Many people don't know what to do against this, so it will be a good game for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Q4LaR_ZVY Thanks for checking out my study and I hope you learned something from this. Be sure to leave a heart! Please feel free to message me if you have any questions! Check out ALL my studies here. https://lichess.org/study/by/heyucatchthis [%csl Rc3,Bd6,Bf6,Ba6,Bb5][%cal Rc2c3,Bf8d6,Bg8f6,Ba7a6,Bb7b5] }
[Event "Rated Classical game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/5wraYxQt"] [Date "2021.03.07"] [Round "?"] [White "comalkin"] [Black "heyucatchthis"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"] [BlackElo "1678"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Short Variation"] [Termination "Normal"] [TimeControl "1800+8"] [UTCDate "2021.03.07"] [UTCTime "21:53:29"] [Variant "Standard"] [WhiteElo "1787"] 1. e4 { [%clk 0:30:00] } 1... c6 { [%clk 0:30:00] } 2. d4 { [%clk 0:29:59] } 2... d5 { [%clk 0:30:02] } 3. e5 { [%clk 0:30:03] } 3... Bf5 { [%clk 0:29:56] } 4. Nf3 { [%clk 0:29:48] } 4... e6 { [%clk 0:29:47] } 5. h3 { [%clk 0:29:52] } 5... c5 { [%clk 0:29:48] } 6. Bb5+ { [%clk 0:29:47] } 6... Nd7 { [%clk 0:29:33] } 7. c3 { [%clk 0:29:06] } 7... a6 { [%clk 0:29:28] } 8. Be2 { [%clk 0:28:01] } 8... Ne7 { [%clk 0:28:01] } 9. Nh4 { [%clk 0:26:35] } 9... Qa5 $2 { [%clk 0:26:57] } 10. Nxf5 { [%clk 0:24:51] } 10... Nxf5 { [%clk 0:27:05] } 11. Bd2 { [%clk 0:23:30] } 11... cxd4 { [%clk 0:26:12] } 12. cxd4 { [%clk 0:23:14] } 12... Bb4 { [%clk 0:25:40] } 13. a3 $4 { [%clk 0:22:09] } 13... Bxd2+ { [%clk 0:25:29] } 14. Qxd2 { [%clk 0:21:57] } 14... Qxd2+ { [%clk 0:25:19] } 15. Nxd2 { [%clk 0:21:58] } 15... Nxd4 { [%clk 0:25:14] } 16. Bd3 { [%clk 0:21:53] } 16... Nxe5 $19 { Look, just a couple of moves and white's center collapsed completely. [%clk 0:24:49] } 17. Bb1 { [%clk 0:21:21] } 17... Rc8 { [%clk 0:24:07] } 18. O-O { [%clk 0:19:55] } 18... O-O { [%clk 0:23:35] } 19. f4 { [%clk 0:19:56] } 19... Nec6 { [%clk 0:21:35] } 20. Bd3 { [%clk 0:19:29] } 20... Rfe8 { [%clk 0:18:30] } 21. Rae1 { [%clk 0:19:25] } 21... f6 { [%clk 0:17:30] } 22. g4 { [%clk 0:18:57] } 22... e5 { [%clk 0:16:43] } 23. fxe5 { [%clk 0:18:11] } 23... fxe5 { [%clk 0:16:39] } 24. Bf5 { [%clk 0:17:05] } 24... Nxf5 { [%clk 0:16:08] } 25. Rxf5 { [%clk 0:17:07] } 25... Rf8 { [%clk 0:15:32] } 26. Rh5 { [%clk 0:16:32] } 26... g6 { [%clk 0:14:35] } 27. Rg5 { [%clk 0:16:16] } 27... Kg7 { [%clk 0:14:12] } 28. Rf1 { [%clk 0:13:40] } 28... Rxf1+ { [%clk 0:13:55] } 29. Nxf1 { [%clk 0:13:40] } 29... Kf6 { [%clk 0:13:57] } 30. h4 { [%clk 0:13:37] } 30... h6 { 0-1 White resigns. White's rook is trapped. [%clk 0:13:59] } 0-1
[Event "The Caro-Kann Defenseüèπ: Review and Conclusion"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/Sw1lC13A/bHUfvxf5"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/heyucatchthis"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3p4/3PP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.06.01"] [UTCTime "23:40:19"] [Variant "Standard"] { Thanks for checking out my study and I hope you learned something from this. Be sure to leave a heart! Please feel free to message me if you have any questions! Check out ALL my studies here. https://lichess.org/study/search?q=owner%3Aheyucatchthis+ [%csl Gd4,Ge4,Rd5,Rc6] }
[Event "ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸ Ruy Lopez ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸: Introduction"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/ZkCxh0nB/AG5rPwvf"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/LeninPerez"] [ECO "C60"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez"] [UTCDate "2021.02.26"] [UTCTime "21:32:28"] [Variant "Standard"] { Hi! Welcome to my new studio. Today I will tell you about my favorite opening, the Ruy Lopez opening or Spanish Opening. Some time ago I did a study on this opening, but I think it is worth updating it, that is the reason for this study. Everyone knows the Ruy Lopez opening, it is one of the most popular and oldest openings in chess, it is also one of the favorites of the chess community, and of the best chess players. This great opening starts with 1.e4 (you can do it now) :) } 1. e4 { 1.e4 must be your first move :D } 1... e5 { Play 2.Nf3 [%csl Gf3][%cal Gg1f3] } 2. Nf3 Nc6 { Now play 3.Bb5 [%csl Gb5][%cal Gf1b5] } 3. Bb5 { This is the Ruy Lopez! The Ruy Lopez Apertura or Spanish Apertura is one of the favorites of the great chess masters, so it must also be one of your favorites to improve in chess. This opening has a lot of theory, but don't worry, in this study I'm going to teach you the basics in a simple and fun way so you can win your games. }
[Event "ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸ Ruy Lopez ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸: Exchange Variation Mistake"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/ZkCxh0nB/JKpohOzY"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/LeninPerez"] [ECO "C68"] [FEN "r1bqkbnr/1ppp1ppp/p1n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.02.26"] [UTCTime "22:03:03"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. Bxc6 { I see many Ruy Lopez players who think that they can win a pawn if they eliminate the e4 defender, this is a mistake. Capture the bishop } 1... dxc6 2. Nxe5 { Apparently the white player has won a pawn, but this is not the case. Play Qd4 [%csl Gd4][%cal Gd8d4] } 2... Qd4 3. Nf3 { Get your pawn back :D } 3... Qxe4+ 4. Qe2 { Change the queen's } 4... Qxe2+ 5. Kxe2 { Now the white king has lost his castling, so you are now better in position. In conclusion, you should never trade your precious bishop and then take the pawn when playing Ruy Lopez, ever! }
[Event "ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸ Ruy Lopez ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸: Morphy Defense Closed"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/ZkCxh0nB/h3ZBOKnz"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/LeninPerez"] [ECO "C92"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Closed"] [UTCDate "2021.02.26"] [UTCTime "21:36:47"] [Variant "Standard"] { Now I will show you the main line of the Ruy Lopez opening or Spanish Opening. Make the first move pls } 1. e4 { Your first move :) } 1... e5 { Now? } 2. Nf3 { That's! } 2... Nc6 { And now? } 3. Bb5 { Great job! This is the Ruy Lopez :) } 3... a6 { This move (3.a6) is the most common response to the Ruy Lopez opening, so you will probably come across it a lot in your games. This defense is known as "The Morphy Defense." Your bishop is being attacked, what is the best square for this bishop? [%cal Ba7a6] } 4. Ba4 { Very good! Your bishop must continue on the diagonal against the black king! [%cal Ga4e8] } 4... Nf6 { Don't worry about Nxe4, just pay attention to the castling [%csl Gg1][%cal Ge1g1] } 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Be7 { Well now if you should worry Nxe4! Defend your e4 pawn in the best way } 7. Re1 { Excellent! [%cal Ge1e4] } 7... O-O { You want to play d4, but you are not ready for this. How do you reinforce the d4 square with a pawn? } 8. c3 { Very good! [%csl Bd4][%cal Bd2d4,Bc3d4] } 8... d6 { Now the black player's c8 bishop can annoy you if it reaches g4, how can you block this? [%csl Rg4][%cal Rc8g4] } 9. h3 { Very good! This is the main line. This is all theory, I could teach you more theory, but then your head will explode! I'll just tell you that you can plan to play d4 in the future :) }
[Event "ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸ Ruy Lopez ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸: Morphy Defense Open"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/ZkCxh0nB/ko4l9gQE"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/LeninPerez"] [ECO "C80"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Open, Bernstein Variation"] [UTCDate "2021.02.26"] [UTCTime "21:49:03"] [Variant "Standard"] { Make the first moves :) } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { Great job! } 3... a6 { You already know the Morphy Defense, now play the moves that you already know :) [%cal Ba7a6] } 4. Ba4 { Very good! [%cal Ga4e8] } 4... Nf6 { What should you do now? } 5. O-O { That's! } 5... Nxe4 { Now that the knight takes the pawn, this is called the Open Morphy Defense. This variation is considered lower for black, but it is not bad, in fact, you will come across this variation many times in your games. You must respond with 6.d4 [%csl Gd4][%cal Gd2d4] } 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 { Capture the pawn } 8. dxe5 Be6 { Play Nbd2 [%csl Gd2][%cal Gb1d2] } 9. Nbd2 Nc5 { Your opponent is threatening to double pawns on the b column, what should you do then? [%csl Rb3][%cal Rc5b3] } 10. c3 { Very good! Now the queen defends your bishop [%cal Gd1b3] } 10... Be7 { However, your bishop is a bit sad. Can you find a better diagonal for this bishop? [%csl Rb3] } 11. Bc2 { Very good! This diagonal is better for your bishop, and now you have one more pawn! This is why the Morphy Open Defense is considered not so good for the black player. [%cal Gc2h7,Gc2b1] }
[Event "ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸ Ruy Lopez ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸: Marshall Attack"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/ZkCxh0nB/uflWxSyB"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/LeninPerez"] [ECO "C89"] [FEN "r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R b KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Marshall Attack, Modern Variation"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.02.26"] [UTCTime "22:11:42"] [Variant "Standard"] 1... a6 { Morphy defense. What should you play? [%cal Ba7a6] } 2. Ba4 Nf6 { Now? } 3. O-O { That's! } 3... b5 { The black player follows the main line, you know what to do here, right? } 4. Bb3 Be7 { And now? } 5. Re1 { That's! [%cal Ge1e4] } 5... O-O { All right, this is the main line. Now how do you prepare d4? } 6. c3 { Well done! [%csl Bd4][%cal Bd2d4,Bc3d4] } 6... d5 { This is the dangerous Marshall Attack. Every player, whatever level he uses the Ruy Lopez opening, must be prepared to face this attack, since if you play in the right way the black player may be uncomfortable in a bad position, but if not, it may cost you very expensive. But don't worry, I'll teach you how to stop this attack. Capture the pawn [%cal Bd7d5] } 7. exd5 Nxd5 { How can you win a pawn right now? } 8. Nxe5 { Excellent! } 8... Nxe5 { And now? } 9. Rxe5 { You have won a pawn! } 9... c6 { Your rook is uncomfortable in the center of the board, what is the best square for this tower? [%csl Ge5] } 10. Re1 { Very well! } 10... Bd6 { Now how can you take the center? } 11. d4 { Very good! This is how you must play! If you don't play this way it will cost you dearly, as this attack is very dangerous if you are not prepared to face it. }
[Event "ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸ Ruy Lopez ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸: Steinitz Defense"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/ZkCxh0nB/67wcw1St"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/LeninPerez"] [ECO "C62"] [FEN "r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R b KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.02.26"] [UTCTime "22:20:56"] [Variant "Standard"] 1... d6 { This is the Steinitz Defense. This defense has this name thanks to Wilhelm Steinitz (the first world champion), since he used this defense many times against the opening Ruy Lopez. How can you take the center with your pawns? [%cal Bd7d6] } 2. d4 { Very good! } 2... Bd7 { How can you attack this knight? [%csl Rc6] } 3. d5 { That's! [%csl Rc6][%cal Rd5c6] } 3... Nce7 { Capture the bishop } 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 { What would you play now? (Psst, your king is in the center) } 5. O-O Nf6 { What is the best way to defend this pawn? [%csl Re4][%cal Rf6e4] } 6. Re1 { That's! [%cal Ge1e4] } 6... Ng6 { Now reinforce your pawn center with c4 :) [%csl Gc4][%cal Gc2c4] } 7. c4 Be7 { Develop your knight [%csl Gb1] } 8. Nc3 { Very good! The black player does not feel comfortable in this position }
[Event "ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸ Ruy Lopez ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸: Berlin Defense"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/ZkCxh0nB/PqFeXjZs"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/LeninPerez"] [ECO "C67"] [FEN "r1bqkb1r/pppp1ppp/2n2n2/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Rio Gambit Accepted"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.02.26"] [UTCTime "22:26:07"] [Variant "Standard"] { This is the Berlin Defense. This defense became popular in 2000 when Kramnik used this defense to good effect in the world championship match against Kasparov. The Berlin Defense is reputed to have many games that result in a draw, as it is a defense to play for a draw. If you want to play the Ruy Lopez opening like a master you must castling here [%cal Bg8f6] } 1. O-O Nxe4 { Don't worry, you haven't lost your pawn. How can you attack the knight on e4? } 2. Re1 { That's right! [%csl Re4][%cal Re1e4] } 2... Nd6 { Capture the pawn :D } 3. Nxe5 Nxe5 { The black player could not take the bishop, if he was not going to suffer after Nxc6. What should you do now? } 4. Rxe5+ Be7 { Develop your knight [%csl Gb1] } 5. Nc3 { Excellent! } 5... O-O { What is the best square for this bishop? [%csl Gb5] } 6. Bf1 { Although it may surprise you, in this square the bishop feels very comfortable and does not hinder any of your pieces. } 6... Ne8 { Play Nd5 [%csl Gd5][%cal Gc3d5] } 7. Nd5 Bd6 { What is the best square for your rook? [%csl Ge5] } 8. Re1 { Very good! The tower has an open column now :) Normally the result is usually a draw, you must stay alert and wait for your opponent's mistakes :D [%cal Ge1e8] }
[Event "ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸ Ruy Lopez ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸: Classical Variation"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/ZkCxh0nB/6Xliy3A0"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/LeninPerez"] [ECO "C65"] [FEN "r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R b KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Zukertort Gambit"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.08.12"] [UTCTime "05:28:42"] [Variant "Standard"] 1... Bc5 { Now let's see the Classical Variation, the most classic way to play against Ruy Lopez, 3.Bc4. You can now do 2 perfectly logical moves: a) 4.O-O b) 4.c3 [%cal Bf8c5,Gc2c3,Ge1g1] } 2. c3 { You can go both ways, even 4.O-O is more common, but I will recommend c3, since this move is faster and more direct. [%csl Gc3,Gd4][%cal Gc2c3,Gd2d4] } ( 2. O-O { You can also choose this if you want a quieter game :) [%csl Gg1] } ) 2... Nf6 { And now? (Psst, look at your king) [%csl Re1] } 3. O-O { Yea! :D [%csl Gg1] } 3... O-O { How can you now actively play in the center? } 4. d4 { That's! Your game is very dynamic! [%csl Gd4,Ge4] }
[Event "ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸ Ruy Lopez ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸: Schliemann Defense"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/ZkCxh0nB/irLCwNNa"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/LeninPerez"] [ECO "C63"] [FEN "r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R b KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.08.12"] [UTCTime "05:36:31"] [Variant "Standard"] 1... f5 { This is the Schliemann defense, a very aggressive defense from black. How do you hold the e4 pawn with another? [%cal Bf7f5] } 2. d3 { Well, now you have formed a nice chain of pawns! [%cal Gc2d3,Gd3e4] } 2... fxe4 3. dxe4 { If he takes our pawn we must recapture. Regardless of the answer that black chooses, he will always play the moves that I show you now with the red and yellow arrows. [%cal Rg8f6,Rf8e7,Ye8g8,Ye7c5] } 3... Nf6 { On the other hand, we must have a game idea very similar to the one I show you with the green and blue arrows. Usually you will always feel comfortable playing in this position. [%cal Gb1c3,Ge1g1,Bc1e3,Be3g5,Bb5c6] }
[Event "ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸ Ruy Lopez ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸: Cozio Defense"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/ZkCxh0nB/ficoF2uW"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/LeninPerez"] [ECO "C60"] [FEN "r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R b KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Cozio Defense"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.08.12"] [UTCTime "05:41:52"] [Variant "Standard"] 1... Nge7 { The idea of â€‹â€‹the Cozio Defense is to avoid damaging Black's pawn structure if Ruy Lopez's player plays Bxc6, since the move 3.Ne7 makes the knights mutually supportive, that is, one supports the other. What would you play now? [%cal Bg8e7] } 2. O-O { Your king's safety first and foremost. [%csl Gg1] } 2... g6 { Black can use this idea of â€‹â€‹development. How can you prepare d4? [%cal Yg7g6,Yf8g7] } 3. c3 { Very good! [%csl Gd4][%cal Gc2c3,Gd2d4] } 3... Bg7 { Now? } 4. d4 { That's! } 4... exd4 { Should you take that pawn? } 5. cxd4 { Yes! } 5... d5 { And now? } 6. exd5 { Nice :D } 6... Nxd5 { The e-file is open and the black king is in the center, so you? [%cal Ge1e8] } 7. Re1+ { All right, now the black king is a bit uncomfortable. Now you must continue developing your pieces. [%cal Ge1e8,Gb5e8] }
[Event "ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸ Ruy Lopez ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸: Fianchetto Defense"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/ZkCxh0nB/2synL8MM"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/LeninPerez"] [ECO "C76"] [FEN "r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R b KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense, Fianchetto Variation"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.08.12"] [UTCTime "05:50:54"] [Variant "Standard"] 1... g6 { This is the ''Fianchetto Variation'', black wants to play as I explain. This is how he wants to develop his pieces. Play c3 [%csl Gc3][%cal Re8g8,Rg7g6,Yf8g7,Yg8e7,Gc2c3] } 2. c3 { As you can see, you can always try d4, always. [%csl Gd4][%cal Gd2d4] } 2... a6 { What is the best square for your bishop? [%csl Gb5] } 3. Ba4 { You can stay here while you can :D [%cal Ga4e8] } 3... d6 { How can you play in the center? } 4. d4 { Great! } 4... Bd7 { You are developing your pieces well, you are playing in the center, there is only one thing missing ... and it is? } 5. O-O
[Event "Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match"] [Site "Lyon FRA"] [Date "1990.12.15"] [Round "20"] [White "Garry Kasparov"] [Black "Anatoly Karpov"] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/LeninPerez"] [ECO "C92"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Closed, Flohr System"] [UTCDate "2021.02.26"] [UTCTime "22:38:45"] [Variant "Standard"] { Now I will show you some of the best games of the Ruy Lopez Apertura or Spanish Apertura! These games will help you understand how to play Ruy Lopez much better. The first game I will show you is Kasparov with white pieces, who faces Karpov with black pieces. Enjoy this wonderful game :) } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. a4 h6 13. Bc2 exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. Bb1 c5 16. d5 Nd7 17. Ra3 f5 18. Rae3 Nf6 19. Nh2 Kh8 20. b3 bxa4 21. bxa4 c4 22. Bb2 fxe4 23. Nxe4 Nfxd5 24. Rg3 Re6 25. Ng4 Qe8 26. Nxh6 c3 27. Nf5 cxb2 28. Qg4 Bc8 29. Qh4+ Rh6 30. Nxh6 gxh6 31. Kh2 Qe5 32. Ng5 Qf6 33. Re8 Bf5 34. Qxh6+ Qxh6 35. Nf7+ Kh7 36. Bxf5+ Qg6 37. Bxg6+ Kg7 38. Rxa8 Be7 39. Rb8 a5 40. Be4+ Kxf7 41. Bxd5+ { 1-0 Black resigns. } 1-0
[Event "New York"] [Site "New York, NY USA"] [Date "1918.10.23"] [Round "1"] [White "Jose Raul Capablanca"] [Black "Frank James Marshall"] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/LeninPerez"] [ECO "C89"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Marshall Attack, Original Marshall Attack"] [UTCDate "2021.02.26"] [UTCTime "22:39:16"] [Variant "Standard"] { I am obliged to show you this wonderful game. Capablanca with white pieces faces Marshall with black pieces. This was the first time the Marshall attack was played. Capablanca, brake which for many is "The Greatest Attack in History." This game will help you defend the Marshall Attack in a more successful way in your games with Ruy Lopez. Enjoy this game of attacks and defenses :D } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 Nf6 12. Re1 Bd6 13. h3 Ng4 14. Qf3 Qh4 15. d4 Nxf2 16. Re2 Bg4 17. hxg4 Bh2+ 18. Kf1 Bg3 19. Rxf2 Qh1+ 20. Ke2 Bxf2 21. Bd2 Bh4 22. Qh3 Rae8+ 23. Kd3 Qf1+ 24. Kc2 Bf2 25. Qf3 Qg1 26. Bd5 c5 27. dxc5 Bxc5 28. b4 Bd6 29. a4 a5 30. axb5 axb4 31. Ra6 bxc3 32. Nxc3 Bb4 33. b6 Bxc3 34. Bxc3 h6 35. b7 Re3 36. Bxf7+ { 1-0 Black resigns. } 1-0
[Event "ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸ Ruy Lopez ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡¸: Conclusion"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/ZkCxh0nB/f2V0NEfq"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/LeninPerez"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2021.02.26"] [UTCTime "22:52:52"] [Variant "Standard"] { I really hope this study has helped you understand the Ruy Lopez opening much better. This is my favorite opening, and I think after seeing this study it is yours too. Press the heart that is under the study to support me, I am LeninPerez and see you in a next study! }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: French Defense Introduction"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/BDDVM8Be"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C00"] [Opening "French Defense"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "Standard"] { This is a full repertoire on the French Defense. My twin brother, NM @Teho120, is a big believer in the French, and he contributed a lot in creating this opening repertoire with me. ‚ù§Ô∏èPlease give this study a like (Heart) and share with others! } 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 { The French defense is a very solid opening. Some key points to remember: 1) c7-c5 is a common pawn break in the opening to challenge white's center. 2) the c8 bishop is frequently the worst piece. 3) The best way to attack a pawn chain is at it's base. More on this later. 4) Pawn structures will frequently be very closed, so there will be a lot of slow strategic maneuvering of pieces. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Sample Game "] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/T8i0GcWb"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "Standard"]
[Event "13th olm final A"] [Site "Munich FRG"] [Date "1958.10.19"] [Round "8.4"] [White "Peter Hugh Clarke"] [Black "Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C02"] [Opening "French Defense: Advance Variation, Main Line"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. a3 c4 { This c5-c4 advance is very common in the Advance variation. Black hopes to block up the queenside in hopes of taking advantage of the light squares in white's position with his minor pieces. Black also hopes closing up the queenside would allow his king to O-O-O safely. } 7. g3 Bd7 8. Bg2 O-O-O 9. O-O Na5 { This knight maneuver looks to fill the hole on b3, but also prevents white from ever chipping away at the center with b2-b3. Black's goal here is to restrict any activity from white on the queenside. } 10. Nbd2 h6 11. Re1 Ne7 12. Nf1 Nf5 13. Ne3 Nxe3 14. Rxe3 Be7 15. Re1 Qb3 16. Qe2 Ba4 { The queenside is plugged up and completely in control by black. This also means his king is very safely placed on the queenside with no harm from white. Now black can turn his attention fully to the kingside. } 17. Be3 Kb8 18. Rad1 Qc2 19. Rd2 Qf5 20. Rf1 g5 21. h3 h5 22. Nh2 Rdg8 { Black's pieces are shuffling to the kingside where the action will take place for the remainder of the game. } 23. g4 Qg6 24. Bf3 hxg4 25. Bxg4 Nc6 { The knight has done it's duty restricting play on the queenside and now joins the other pieces in the attack on the white king. It's important to note that black cannot be too careless - such as also retreating the bishop on a4 towards the kingside as well - as white can strike with b2-b3, opening up the b-file towards black's king. } 26. f3 Bd8 27. Bf2 Ne7 28. Re1 Rh6 29. Nf1 Rgh8 30. Bg3 Rxh3 { Strong exchange sacrifice, which Petrosian was very fond of doing at the right moments. } 31. Bxh3 Rxh3 32. Qg2 Qh7 33. Ne3 Ng6 34. Ng4 Nf4 35. Bxf4 gxf4 36. Kf1 Rg3 37. Qf2 Qh3+ 38. Ke2 Rg2 39. Rg1 Rxf2+ 40. Nxf2 Qh7 41. Rh1 Qg6 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: * Important Themes "] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/I98lgcxU"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/4p3/8/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "From Position"] *
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Theme #1"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/ALcBWsq0"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1bqkbnr/pp3ppp/2n1p3/2ppP3/3P4/2P2N2/PP3PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "From Position"] { Due to the relatively closed nature of the French Defense, understanding of pawn structure is extremely important. The first theme is "Attack the pawn chain at its base because it is the weakest". } 1... Qb6 { Hitting the current base of the chain (b2) } 2. Be2 Nge7 3. Na3 ( 3. O-O $2 { White is clearly oblivious of what's coming up next. } 3... cxd4 4. cxd4 Nf5 { There is a new base of the pawn chain: d4! Now either the d4 pawn or b2 pawn is lost for White. } ) 3... cxd4 4. cxd4 Nf5 { Hitting the new base of the pawn chain, the d4 pawn. White can defend it with Nc2 though, and the game continues. However, this principle regarding pawn chains drives many of Black's middlegame plans. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Theme #2"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/fb13TLtk"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "rnbqkb1r/pp1n1ppp/4p3/2ppP3/3P4/2PB4/PP1N1PPP/R1BQK1NR b KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "From Position"] { In contrast to Theme #1, attacking a pawn chain at its head can be beneficial to disrupt the chain and create open files and diagonals as a result of the pawn break. } 1... Nc6 2. Ne2 cxd4 3. cxd4 f6 { The f6 pawn break is ideal when White cannot comfortably keep up the pawn chain with f4. As a result, this forces White to concede with exf6 or enter some tactical complications as seen below. } 4. f4 $2 ( 4. exf6 Nxf6 { Qxf6 is also playable. This leads to a theoretical main line of the French Tarrasch with 3. Nf6. This is not my recommendation in this repertoire, but it is sound and quite popular at all levels. } ) 4... fxe5 5. fxe5 $2 ( 5. dxe5 { Creating a new chain, but at the cost of severely weakening the g1-a7 diagonal, which Black can easily take advantage of with Bc5 and Qb6 in the near future } ) 5... Nxd4 $5 6. Nxd4 Qh4+ { Picking up a pawn in the process after Qxd4. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Theme #3"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/RfzMcv7Q"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1bq1k1r/pp1n1pp1/4p2p/3pP3/2pP4/2P2N2/P1PQBPPP/R3K2R b KQ - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "From Position"] { This is a typical pawn structure in the MacCutcheon French, which I recommend against the Classical Variation. White's doubled c-pawns is their only weakness, so naturally, Black's plan is to target them. } 1... Qa5 2. g4 Nb6 3. Qe3 Qa3 4. g5 Na4 { Pieces are piling up on c3, forcing the White king to walk to defend it. } 5. Kd2 b5 { It is now a race for Black's queenside play versus White's attempt to break open the kingside. See Romanov - Nepomniachtchi for the complete game. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Theme #4"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/n74P0X3l"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1bqk2r/pp2bppp/2n1pn2/2pp4/4P3/3P1NP1/PPPN1PBP/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "From Position"] { This is one of the defining setups of the Kings Indian Attack. The theme here is to delay castling in order to maintain flexibility for a potential kingside pawn storm. It can be quite deadly if White is not prepared for it } 1. O-O b6 $5 { Intentionally delaying kingside castling. As a friendly note: Castling is totally fine. This is just an interesting idea worth mentioning! } 2. Re1 Bb7 3. e5 Nd7 4. Nf1 $6 { White is unaware of any of Black's ambitions and continues playing Kings Indian attack style. This is where the surprise attack comes in. } 4... g5 $5 { A kingside pawn storm with h5 + g4 or h4 will break open the h- and g-files. Black typically follows up with 0-0-0 and utilizing the open files for an attack. Black scores quite well in practice. } 5. h3 h5
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Theme #5"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/ZIrEApSj"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp1nbppp/2n1p3/3pPP2/2pP4/2N1BN2/PPPQ2PP/2KR1B1R b - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "From Position"] { This position arises in the Classical variation with 4. e5, where White castles long really early on. Here, you can punish White's early commitment of the king to the queenside with a nifty move: } 1... b5 $1 { Gambiting a pawn to get a quick attack going. White has no good option. Accepting the gambit will give a strong initiative for Black after Rb8, while declining the gambit will just allow b4 next move. } 2. Nxb5 Rb8 3. Nd6 Bxd6 4. exd6 Nf6 { With a dominating position. It's quite surprising to me how common this mistake is in practice. See Classical Variation with 4. e5 part 2 below for a more detailed analysis. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Theme #6"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/pyOBHgLK"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1bqkb1r/pp1n1ppp/2n1p3/2ppP3/3P1P2/2N2N2/PPP3PP/R1BQKB1R w KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "From Position"] { Here is a must-know trap commonly seen in the Classical Variation, but it is prevalent in many of these setups. } 1. Be2 $2 { Seemingly normal, but it is a mistake since White's pawn structure falls real quick, and tactics favor Black. } 1... cxd4 2. Nxd4 Ndxe5 $1 3. fxe5 ( 3. Nxc6 Nxc6 $1 { The boomerang knight snatches a pawn in the process } ) 3... Qh4+ { Picking up a pawn and White's e5 pawn will soon fall as well. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: * Sidelines "] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/Vi0f7boS"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "Standard"] *
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Wing Gambit attempt"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/OW1PKbDT"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C00"] [Opening "French Defense: Wing Gambit"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e5 c5 4. b4 $5 { The French Wing Gambit. White offers the b-pawn in order to establish firm control over the central pawn chain. } 4... b6 { NM Teho120 recommends b6 to avoid all of the sharp Wing Gambit theory and maintains the c5 pawn and makes White's b4 move quite awkward. } ( 4... cxb4 5. a3 bxa3 6. d4 { This is the ideal structure White is aiming for. At the expense of some queenside pawns, White gets a stable pawn chain and easy development in preparation for a kingside attack. } ) 5. bxc5 bxc5 6. c3 Nc6 7. d4 Qa5 { You can argue that removing the b-pawns favor Black since now the base of the pawn chain for White is c3, which is more vulnerable. Meanwhile, Black's b-pawn did not contribute to his pawn chain. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Kings Indian Attack"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/zLH13rxX"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C00"] [Opening "French Defense: King's Indian Attack"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d3 { 2. d3 signals a Kings Indian Attack, a very popular choice by Fischer in his prime. My suggestion for Black is to be wary of when to kingside castle and when to possibly delay it. Often times, your king is very safe where it is on e8. The typical plan is to expand on the queenside with pawn storms while White does so on the kingside. } 2... d5 3. Nd2 ( 3. Qe2 { Qe2 is another way to play the Kings Indian Attack to later place the knight to c3 instead of d2. } 3... Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. g3 b5 $1 { Delaying castling and rushing the bishop to the f1-a6 diagonal to annoy the White queen. I've faced this as White before and it is quite frustrating to play against so naturally here is the recommendation for Black. } 6. Bg2 b4 7. O-O dxe4 8. Ne5 ( 8. dxe4 $2 Ba6 ) 8... O-O { Comfortable position for Black } ) 3... c5 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O b6 { This is the topic of Theme #4 above to delay castling in order to maintain flexibility. } 8. Re1 Bb7 9. e5 ( 9. c3 Qc7 10. a3 dxe4 11. dxe4 Rd8 { Still delaying castling and playing actively in the center and queenside. } ) 9... Nd7 10. Nf1 g5 11. h3 h5
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Nf3 + Nc3"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/pysEh5qO"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C00"] [Opening "French Defense: Two Knights Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 { Double knight development is common but harmless in my opinion. It is rare to see knights developed to f3 and c3 in any main line French since White usually wants to build a pawn chain with either c3 or f4. These early knight moves hinders both plans. } 3... Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. d4 c5 { Now White cannot keep the pawn chain with c3. } 6. dxc5 Nc6 7. Bf4 Nxc5 8. Bd3 Be7 9. O-O ( 9. h4 { White could also anticipate a g5 push and stop it first. Here, I suggest just switching gears and go for queenside play with the b2 pawn as the main target. } 9... Bd7 10. h5 h6 11. Rh3 Qb6 ) 9... g5 { Again, we see a thematic plan of g5! h5 follows and a nice kingside attack has been started. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Second move sidelines"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/trdlbMIH"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C00"] [Opening "French Defense: Steiner Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. c4 { 2. c4 is likely the most serious second move sideline, since I play it myself (although through a different move order: 1. c4 e6 2. e4) } ( 2. b3 { An attempted gambit line which can lead to difficult defense positions if accepted. My solution is the same as the Wing Gambit: Decline the gambit and make White's gambit attempt look out of place. } 2... d5 3. Bb2 Nc6 4. exd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Be2 { Hard to say if the fianchetto White Bb2 is strong here. You can castle long to avoid its scope. } ) ( 2. Qe2 { Likely transposes back to the Qe2 Kings Indian Attack. See above chapter } 2... Be7 3. Nf3 d5 4. d3 Nf6 5. g3 b5 6. Bg2 b4 7. O-O dxe4 8. Ne5 ( 8. dxe4 $2 Ba6 ) 8... O-O ) 2... d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. cxd5 ( 4. d4 { Transposes back to the French Exchange 4. c4 line below. } ) 4... Nf6 5. Nc3 ( 5. Bb5+ Nbd7 6. Nc3 a6 7. Ba4 b5 8. Bb3 b4 9. Nce2 Bd6 { Black will ultimately regain the pawn and have a comfortable middlegame. } ) 5... Nxd5
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: * Main Lines "] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/z1aTbLQC"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "Standard"] *
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Draw Please? No. French Exchange"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/iInd2vCN"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C01"] [Opening "French Defense: Exchange Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 { Often the plan of a lower rated player in order to simplify into a drawn endgame. With this in mind, my repertoire will involve a setup that avoids symmetry. } 3... exd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 { Already deviating from symmetry on move 4 } 5. Bd3 Bd6 6. O-O Nge7 7. c3 Bg4 8. Bg5 ( 8. Re1 Qd7 9. b4 O-O $1 { 0-0-0 would be just too risky since it walks right into White's queenside pawn storm. } 10. Bg5 Ng6 { Although the position is still somewhat symmetrical in terms of pawn structure, the piece imbalance allows for creative attacking play. } ) 8... f6 9. Bh4 Qd7 10. Nbd2 O-O-O { 0-0-0 if White has played Bg5-h4 since you can speed up your kingside pawn storm while chasing the white Bishop. Otherwise White's queenside pawn storm will be faster. } 11. b4 Nf5 12. Bg3 Nxg3 13. hxg3 h5 14. Qa4 Kb8
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: French Exchange - 4. c4"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/nsguN1lh"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C01"] [Opening "French Defense: Exchange Variation, Monte Carlo Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be6 { This somewhat rare move always bugs me when I play on the White side. It really forces the c-pawn to make a commitment right away. } 6. c5 { Logical move to maintain a pawn chain and hem in the Be6. However, the pawn chain will be undermined next, which leads to no advantage at all for White } ( 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Nf3 Be7 8. Bd3 O-O 9. O-O Nc6 10. Re1 Re8 { Typical isolated queen pawn position. The game can get dynamic from here, but the positino is more or less equal. } ) 6... b6 7. cxb6 ( 7. b4 $6 a5 { The classic dilemma for White since a3 is not possible due to the undefended Ra1, and b5 drops the c5 pawn. } ) 7... axb6 { Black gets a comfortable position with an open a-file. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Classical Variation with 4. e5"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/CsbJ94Pp"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C11"] [Opening "French Defense: Steinitz Variation, Boleslavsky Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 ( 7. Be2 $2 { Of course Be2 loses a pawn. See Theme #6 above for a refresher. } 7... cxd4 8. Nxd4 Ndxe5 ) 7... Be7 { I recommend this move due to its flexibility. It does not reveal any of your future plans and can be quite sneaky... } 8. Qd2 O-O 9. dxc5 Qa5 10. a3 ( 10. O-O-O b6 11. Bb5 Nb4 12. a3 bxc5 ) 10... Bxc5 11. Bxc5 Nxc5 12. O-O-O ( 12. b4 $2 Nxb4 { Taking advantage of the undefended Ra1 } ) 12... Bd7 13. Kb1 Rfc8 14. Be2 ( 14. b4 { b4 is still not possible } 14... Qxa3 15. bxc5 Nb4 { And White's pieces are far too tangled up to stop against Black's rather simple plan of Rxc5 and Ra5 } ) 14... b5 { Sacrificing a pawn to open up the b-file. The attack is rolling fast. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Classical with 4. e5 part 2"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/QuR2yYuD"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C11"] [Opening "French Defense: Steinitz Variation, Boleslavsky Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:52:17"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O $2 { Premature castling signals a queenside pawn storm coming up } 9... c4 $1 10. f5 ( 10. g4 b5 11. Kb1 b4 12. Ne2 { With the same idea as the main variation } ) 10... b5 $1 { We reach the same position as seen in Theme #5 above } 11. f6 { An interesting attempt to scrape together some counterplay, but it's harmless in comparison with Black's attack. } ( 11. Nxb5 Rb8 12. Nd6 Bxd6 13. exd6 Nf6 ) 11... gxf6 12. Bh6 fxe5 13. dxe5 Ndxe5 14. Bxf8 Bxf8 { Sacrificing the exchange here is wise since the dark squared bishop will now be a menace along the c1-h6 and a1-h8 diagonals while White can barely make use of both rooks. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Classical with 4. e5 part 3"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/0QVnxUpR"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C11"] [Opening "French Defense: Steinitz Variation, Boleslavsky Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Qd2 O-O 9. Be2 b6 10. O-O { The wiser and safer side to castle on } ( 10. O-O-O { Again, like in the previous chapter, 0-0-0 leads to c4 still. } 10... c4 ) 10... f5 { Forcing White to make a decision here: Capture en passant and allow some opening of the position or keep it closed forever. } 11. exf6 ( 11. Nd1 { Declining the en passant offer, which gives Black no trouble now. } 11... cxd4 { Capturing before White can fix the pawn chain with c3 } 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Nc5 { Black can easily finish development from here, with higher priority on the development of the bad bishop on c8. } ) 11... Nxf6 12. Kh1 Bb7 13. Rad1 Qe8 14. Ne5 Rc8 { This middlegame is still quite sharp with lots of tension in the center, but Black should not have too much to worry about. The only weakness of the position is the backwards e6 pawn but it is far from vulnerable at the moment. Meanwhile, BLack should aim to pressure White's d4 pawn and hop in to the outpost with Ne4 when best. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Classical with 4. e5 part 4"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/XHQQslur"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C11"] [Opening "French Defense: Classical Variation, Steinitz Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Nce2 { The Nce2 lines are a sideline in the Classical Variation. The perk is to still aim for the standard pawn chain while developing the knights on e2 and f3 to further maintain it. The drawback is the Bf1 is blocked temporarily. } 5... c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. f4 ( 7. Nf3 Be7 8. g3 ( 8. a3 O-O 9. Nf4 Qa5 $5 { This move messes with White's head with the threat of cxd4. } 10. Bd2 Qb6 { Now both d4 and b2 pawns are hanging. } ) 8... b5 { Gaining space aggressively on the queenside } 9. Bg2 b4 10. O-O Ba6 { Active queenside play here } ) 7... Qb6 8. Nf3 f6 { I suggest poking at the pawn chain with f6 in hopes of blasting open the position. White's Bf1 is still undeveloped and the king is in the center, so you should try to punish White by going all out in the center. } 9. a3 Be7 10. b4 cxd4 11. cxd4 O-O 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Nc3 Bd7 { I will argue that Black has an easier position for humans to play just because development is almost complete and White's pawns are all sort of weak. But in theory, the position is around equal. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Classical with 4. Bg5: MacCutcheon"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/IGOnNLYI"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C12"] [Opening "French Defense: MacCutcheon Variation, Lasker Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 { My recommendation is the MacCutcheon, which is defined by the 4. Bb4 move. This line could be considered a sideline to the more common 4. Be7, but I believe it is underrated. } 5. e5 h6 { There are many moves played here in practice: Bd2, exf6, Be3, Bh4, and Bc1. In this chapter, we will review Bd2, the most common response. } 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4 ( 8. Bd3 Nxd2 9. Qxd2 c5 10. f4 Nc6 11. Nf3 Qa5 { The aim is to take advantage of the White's weak doubled c-pawns. } ) 8... Kf8 { It is fine to play Kf8 since the position is fairly closed and White cannot easily exploit the king position } 9. Bd3 Nxd2 10. Kxd2 c5 11. h4 { White often attempts a rook lift to either g3 or f3 to line up against the Black king. } 11... c4 12. Be2 Nc6 13. Rh3 Ne7 14. Rf3 Bd7 15. Nh3 b5 16. Nf4 Nf5 $1 { The knight on f5 acts as a huge roadblock for White's attack, while also improving his own queenside expansion. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Classical with 4. Bg5 part 2"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/8rCidvsQ"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C12"] [Opening "French Defense: MacCutcheon Variation, Chigorin Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. exf6 { The most demanding response because it allows a White pawn to safely land on g7 for a move. But in reality, it can easily be dealt with. } 6... hxg5 7. fxg7 Rg8 { White has many tries in attempt to seize the initiative to utilize the pawn on g7, but they all fail to a simple Qf6 followed by Qxg7. } 8. Qd3 ( 8. Qh5 Qf6 { Qxg7 next, just in time. } ) ( 8. h4 { A sneaky try to use the rook to exert pressure. } 8... gxh4 { The file is closed for 1 more move at least! } 9. Qh5 Qf6 10. Qxh4 Qxg7 { Black regains the pawn and the position is balanced here. } ) 8... Qf6 9. O-O-O Qxg7 10. Nf3 Bd7 11. Ne5 Bd6 { Black is fine here, with 0-0-0 usually on the horizon }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Classical with 4. Bg5 part 3"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/oZuf0Y5s"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C12"] [Opening "French Defense: MacCutcheon Variation, Janowski Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Be3 ( 6. Bh4 g5 7. Bg3 { Hard to see the prospects of the bishop here. } 7... Ne4 8. Ne2 c5 9. a3 Bxc3+ 10. Nxc3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Qa5 12. Qd2 Nc6 { Threatening cxd4 cxd4 Qxd2+ Kxd2 Nxd4. Black is doing well here } ) ( 6. Bc1 Ne4 7. Qg4 Kf8 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 c5 10. Bd3 Nxc3 11. dxc5 Nc6 12. Nf3 f5 13. exf6 Qxf6 14. Qh5 e5 { This position is quite dynamic and imbalanced. Black has a nice pawn center while White has the bishop pair and a safer king. } ) 6... Ne4 7. Qg4 Kf8 { Thematic slide of the king in this variation } 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Nxc3 10. Bd3 b6 11. Nf3 Ba6 { Trading off the bad French bishop is generally the right plan here }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 3. e5 Advance French"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/XeSbS4J1"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C02"] [Opening "French Defense: Advance Variation, Paulsen Attack"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Nge7 { Considered a sideline to the more standard Qb6 or Bd7, but this line can be quite tricky. } 6. Bd3 cxd4 7. cxd4 Nf5 { Giving White the difficult decision of whether or not to play Bxf5. } 8. Bxf5 exf5 9. O-O Be6 { Black has a bad bishop on e6, but in exchange for stealing White's light squared bishop. A tricky plan is to use the doubled f-pawns for a surprise kingside pawn storm. } 10. Nc3 Be7 11. a3 g5 $5 12. b4 f4 { Notice how one f-pawn acts as a contributor to the pawn storm and the other acts as a shield to the king. Doubled pawns are strong if you make them to be. And look! The Be6 is now good }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 3. e5 part 2"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/6JeOesLG"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C02"] [Opening "French Defense: Advance Variation, Paulsen Attack"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Nge7 6. a3 Nf5 7. b4 cxd4 8. cxd4 Bd7 9. g4 ( 9. Bb2 b5 $5 10. Bxb5 Nxe5 { Windmill technique at play } ) 9... Nh4 { The perks of not playing Qb6 is Nh4 is now playable, making g4 an awkward move for White. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Tarrasch Variation"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/DU59tBVV"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C07"] [Opening "French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 { c5 takes advantage of White's knight not being at its more centralized c3 square. Black can develop the queen out early and it will be harder to punish. } 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Ngf3 cxd4 6. Bc4 Qd7 $5 { There are multiple squares for the queen to retreat to, with the most popular being Qd6. But Qd7 has been trendy lately, with the idea of not blocking in the Bf8. } 7. O-O Nc6 8. Nb3 Nf6 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 ( 10. Qxd4 { An early queen trade simplifies into a completely equal endgame. Not the most exciting, but as Black, this should be considered a win. } 10... Qxd4 11. Nxd4 Bc5 12. Nb3 Bb6 $10 ) 10... a6 { The light squared bishop gets developed to b7 after a6 + b5. } 11. Re1 b5 12. Bb3 Bb7 13. Bg5 Ne4 14. Be3 ( 14. Bh4 $2 { A common mistake, which allows Black to take the bishop pair in a wide open positioni } 14... g5 15. Bg3 Nxg3 16. hxg3 O-O-O $1 17. c3 h5 { The h5 file will soon be open after the pawn break and White's king is in big danger. } ) 14... Nc5 15. Qh5 Nxb3 16. axb3 g6 17. Qe5 Qd5 { White cannot take the rook due to Qxg2#. Black has a comfortable position with the bishop pair. }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Tarrasch part 2"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/oJjHSYsF"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C07"] [Opening "French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Ngf3 cxd4 6. Bc4 Qd7 7. O-O Nc6 8. Nb3 Nf6 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 a6 11. a4 { a4 stops Black's plan of b5 right away. While you can still play b6 to fianchetto your bishop, it is just worse off since you don't get the tempo on the bishop nor the space advantage on the queenside. With this in mind, I recommend switching gears. } 11... Qc7 { Notice how your a6 pawn also stops Nb5. So the insertion of both a6 for Black and a4 for White favors you since White's a4 has the sole purpose of stopping your b5 push. } 12. b3 Bd6 13. h3 O-O 14. Bb2 e5 15. Nf3 e4 { Black gets a nice space advantage in the center and your light squared bishop is ready to develop next. } 16. Nd2 ( 16. Bxf6 $6 exf3 { And White's kingside pawn structure will soon be ruined. } ) 16... Bf5
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Tarrasch part 3"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/KgMgIVVk"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C07"] [Opening "French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Euwe-Keres Line"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 { Ngf3 is a popular move these days, often transposing to the 4. exd5 lines } 4... cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. e5 ( 6. exd5 Qxd5 7. Nb5 Qd8 { White's Nd2 is blocking his own development, making this position not dynamic enough to get any initiative. a6 next to kick the Nb5 out and you've reached equality } ) 6... Nfd7 7. N2f3 ( 7. f4 $2 Nxe5 { Same tactic as in Theme #6 above } ) 7... Nc6 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. Bd3 Qc7 { Equality reached }
[Event "üèÜ French Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Top Grandmaster Games in the French "] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/xSou7xMc/NuI7gZ16"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"]
[Event "Millionaire Chess"] [Site "Las Vegas, NV USA"] [Date "2015.10.10"] [Round "5.3"] [White "Andrey Stukopin"] [Black "Hikaru Nakamura"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [BlackElo "2814"] [ECO "C12"] [Opening "French Defense: MacCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] [WhiteElo "2587"] { This game by US Champion Hikaru Nakamura is a good example of playing patiently and punishing the opponent for overextending. } 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bh4 g5 7. Bg3 Ne4 8. Ne2 h5 9. f3 Nxg3 10. hxg3 Bd7 11. Qd2 Be7 12. g4 h4 13. g3 c5 { The Be7 is a wonderful piece with duties on all sides of the board. } 14. gxh4 Nc6 15. Qe3 Qb8 16. O-O-O ( 16. dxc5 Qxe5 { White is being punished for the massive overextension of his pawns. Now, there are weak and hanging pawns all around. } ) 16... cxd4 { Evidently, White's pawn chain is falling apart from its base. } 17. Nxd4 Qxe5 18. Qxe5 Nxe5 19. h5 a6 20. Bd3 Bc5 21. Nce2 O-O-O 22. c3 Rdg8 23. Bc2 Rh6 24. Rhe1 Rf6 25. Ng1 Nc6 26. Rf1 Kc7 27. Kb1 Ne5 28. a4 Kd8 29. b3 Ke7 30. Nge2 b5 { Nakamura is doing a great job of paralyzing all of his opponent's pieces. Now, it's simple undermining of the queenside structure to exploit an open file there. } 31. b4 Bxd4 32. Nxd4 bxa4 33. Rde1 Kd6 34. Kb2 Bb5 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "Potsdam"] [Site "Potsdam"] [Date "1988.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Ralf Lau"] [Black "Wolfgang Uhlmann"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "A08"] [Opening "King's Indian Attack: Sicilian Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] { Wolfgang Uhlmann is likely the most famous French Defense fan, who has played this opening for all of his life. This game illustrates the common queenside expansion plan in the Kings Indian Attack. } 1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 c5 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 b5 { The common plans in the Kings Indian Attack involve White expanding on the kingside while Black on the queenside. } 9. e5 Nd7 10. Nf1 a5 11. h4 Ba6 12. N1h2 b4 13. Ng4 Nd4 14. c3 Nxf3+ 15. Bxf3 Rb8 16. Bf4 a4 17. Qd2 ( 17. Qxa4 Bxd3 { White cannot give up the important d3 pawn } ) 17... a3 $1 { Attacking the pawn chain at its base } 18. b3 bxc3 19. Qxc3 Rb4 20. Rad1 $6 { Missing Black's tactical shot } 20... Bxh4 21. Bc1 Be7 22. Bxa3 Bb7 23. Qc2 ( 23. Bxb4 d4 { Wisely allowing an exchange sacrifice since the h1-a8 diagonal would be tremendous play for black to rush an attack on with the queen and bishop battery } ) 23... d4 24. Be4 Rb6 25. Bc1 Bxe4 26. Rxe4 Ra6 27. Qe2 Re8 28. Kg2 Nf8 { A great resource to have a knight on f8 to have permanent defense on the weak h7 pawn. } 29. Rh1 Ng6 30. Rh5 Qa8 31. a3 Rb6 32. Kh2 Rxb3 33. Bh6 Qa6 34. Bxg7 Qxd3 35. Qxd3 ( 35. Qe1 Rb1 { White cannot escape a queen trade here } ) 35... Rxd3 36. Bf6 Bf8 37. Re1 Rf3 { Making room for the deadly connected passers! } 38. Kg2 Rf5 39. Rh3 h5 40. Reh1 c4 41. Rxh5 Rxh5 42. Rxh5 c3 43. Kf3 d3 44. Bg5 Bg7 45. Ke3 d2 46. Ke2 Rc8 47. Rh1 Nxe5 48. Nf6+ Kf8 49. Nh7+ Ke8 50. Nf6+ Bxf6 51. Bxf6 Rc5 52. f4 Nf3 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "European Individual Championship"] [Site "Dresden GER"] [Date "2007.04.05"] [Round "3"] [White "Evgeny Romanov"] [Black "Ian Nepomniachtchi"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [BlackElo "2587"] [ECO "C12"] [Opening "French Defense: MacCutcheon Variation, Lasker Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] [WhiteElo "2501"] { A model game in the French MacCutcheon played by Russian super-GM Nepomniachtchi when he was on the rise. } 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4 Kf8 9. Qf4 c5 10. Bd3 Nxd2 11. Qxd2 c4 12. Be2 Nd7 13. Nf3 { This is the starting position of Theme #3 above. } 13... Qa5 14. g4 Nb6 15. Qe3 Qa3 16. g5 Na4 17. Kd2 b5 18. Rab1 Bd7 19. Rhg1 Be8 ( 19... a5 $6 { Sometimes it isn't always best to ignore the opponent's threats. Here, White's g6 allows a bit too much counterplay. Stopping it with Be8 first is a wise decision to save time, especially in opposite sides king positions. } 20. g6 ) 20. gxh6 Rxh6 21. Rg3 Rb8 22. Ng5 ( 22. Rbg1 $2 { White would love to play Rbg1, but it is too slow. } 22... b4 $1 23. Rxg7 bxc3+ 24. Ke1 ) 22... b4 23. cxb4 Qxa2 24. Rc1 Rxb4 25. Rh3 c3+ 26. Kd1 Rxh3 27. Qxh3 Rb1 { Black is dominating on the queenside, so as long as there's no perpetual or counterplay for White on the kingside, he's got the win in the bag. } 28. Nxe6+ ( 28. Qh8+ Ke7 ) 28... Kg8 29. Bd3 Rxc1+ 30. Ke2 Rxc2+ 31. Ke3 g6 32. Ng5 Re2+ { If Bxe2, Qd2+ picks up the knight and Black is up too much material. 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "M-Tel Masters"] [Site "Sofia BUL"] [Date "2008.05.09"] [Round "2"] [White "Veselin Topalov"] [Black "Vassily Ivanchuk"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [BlackElo "2740"] [ECO "C11"] [Opening "French Defense: Steinitz Variation, Boleslavsky Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] [WhiteElo "2767"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 a6 8. a3 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bc5 10. Be2 O-O 11. Qd2 Qc7 12. Bf3 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Nb6 14. Ne2 Bxd4 15. Qxd4 Bd7 16. b3 Bb5 17. Nc3 Rfc8 18. Nxb5 axb5 19. Be2 Nd7 20. Ra2 Nb8 $1 { A brilliant move by Ivanchuk. I have seen this move featured in many books including How to Reassess your Chess. The idea is to retreat the knight in order to aim for Nc6, kicking the White queen away from its ideal d4 spot. } ( 20... Nc5 $5 { Nc5 is definitely more intuitive, but once the knight does reach its "dream" outpost on e4, White can easily swap it off with his bishop. } ) 21. O-O Nc6 22. Qd2 Qb6+ 23. Kh1 Qa5 24. Qxa5 Rxa5 25. Raa1 Rca8 26. Rad1 Rxa3 27. Bxb5 Nb4 28. c4 R8a5 29. f5 exf5 30. g4 Rxb3 31. gxf5 Re3 32. Rb1 Nd3 33. e6 d4 34. Be8 Nc5 35. Bxf7+ Kf8 36. f6 gxf6 37. Rxf6 Ke7 38. Rh6 d3 39. Rxh7 d2 40. Rg1 Re1 41. Bh5+ Kxe6 42. Rg7 Ne4 43. Rg6+ Ke5 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "Curacao Candidates"] [Site "Willemstad CUW"] [Date "1962.05.23"] [Round "13"] [White "Robert James Fischer"] [Black "Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C12"] [Opening "French Defense: MacCutcheon Variation, Lasker Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Ne4 8. Ba5 { A strange move, likely to prevent the thematic c5 from Black. But it's hard to see why Black cannot just play b6 followed by c5? } 8... O-O 9. Bd3 Nc6 10. Bc3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 f6 { The f6 pawn break comes into play since White cannot comfortably play f4 to maintain the chain. } 12. f4 { Fischer is bold and goes for f4 anyways, arguing that the open f-file doesn't do Black much good. } 12... fxe5 13. fxe5 Ne7 14. Nf3 c5 15. O-O Qa5 16. Qe1 Bd7 17. c4 Qxe1 18. Rfxe1 dxc4 19. Be4 cxd4 20. Bxb7 Rab8 21. Ba6 Rb4 22. Rad1 { Black is still up a pawn now, so he could give the d-pawn back and get some other resource in exchange. } 22... d3 23. cxd3 cxd3 24. Rxd3 Bc6 25. Rd4 Rxd4 26. Nxd4 Bd5 27. a4 Rf4 28. Rd1 Ng6 29. Bc8 Kf7 30. a5 Nxe5 31. a6 Rg4 32. Rd2 Nc4 33. Rf2+ Ke7 34. Nb5 Nd6 35. Nxd6 Kxd6 36. Bb7 Bxb7 37. axb7 Kc7 38. h3 Rg5 39. Rb2 Kb8 40. Kf2 Rd5 41. Ke3 Rd7 42. Ke4 Rxb7 43. Rf2 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "Rapid 2019"] [Site "Moscow"] [Date "2019.12.28"] [Round "12"] [White "Can, Emre"] [Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [BlackElo "2747"] [ECO "C07"] [Opening "French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] [WhiteElo "2600"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. dxc5 Nf6 6. Ngf3 Bxc5 7. Bc4 Qc6 { A strange move, but as typical in this Tarrasch line, Black has multiple squares for the queen to retreat to. Just don't get your queen pinned with Bb5... } 8. Qe2 O-O 9. O-O a6 10. Nb3 Bd6 11. Bg5 b5 12. Bd3 Nbd7 13. Rad1 Re8 14. Rfe1 Qc7 15. Bh4 Bb7 { The ordinary two bishops lined up against the White king, and Black has finished development. } 16. Bg3 Bxg3 17. hxg3 e5 $1 { This e-pawn will act as a huge thorn in White's position. e5 is just the start of its unstoppable journey up the board } 18. Bf5 e4 19. Ng5 Nf8 20. Nd2 Re5 21. g4 Rae8 22. Nh3 g6 23. g5 e3 { As you can see, quite difficult for White to deal with this pesky pawn. } 24. fxe3 Nd5 25. Be4 Rxe4 26. Nxe4 Rxe4 27. Qd3 Qe5 28. Rd2 Qg3 29. Rf2 Nxe3 30. Ree2 Qe5 31. Qc3 Qxc3 32. bxc3 Ne6 33. Rd2 Nd5 34. Rf1 Rg4 { Two minors for a rook is clearly superior here. The rest is cleanup crew. } 35. Nf2 Rc4 36. Nd1 Nxg5 37. Re1 Re4 38. Rf1 f5 39. Nf2 Re7 40. c4 bxc4 41. Rb1 Nc3 42. Rb4 Bd5 43. Rb8+ Kg7 44. Rd8 Re1+ 45. Kh2 Rf1 46. Nh3 Nxh3 47. Kxh3 Rh1+ 48. Kg3 Ne4+ { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "PRO League KO Stage 2020"] [Site "chess.com INT"] [Date "2020.3.2"] [Round "1"] [White "Harikrishna, P."] [Black "Christiansen, Johan-Sebastian"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [BlackElo "2609"] [ECO "C07"] [Opening "French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] [WhiteElo "2719"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. dxc5 Nf6 6. Ngf3 Qxc5 7. Bd3 Be7 8. O-O Qc7 9. Qe2 b6 10. Ne4 Bb7 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. Ng5 Nd7 { Voluntarily "gambiting" the h7 pawn. But it is far too risky for White due to the deadly threat of Qxh2# not too far away. } 13. Rd1 ( 13. Nxh7 $6 O-O-O { Threat of g6 is deadly and gives Black too much counterplay even if checkmate is prevented. } ) ( 13. Bxh7 $2 Nf8 { The bishop is outright lost. } ) 13... h6 14. Ne4 Be5 15. Bb5 O-O-O 16. Ng3 Nf6 17. Be3 h5 { A very common way to punish a knight on g3/g6: Rush the h-pawn up the board! } 18. c4 h4 19. Nf1 Kb8 20. h3 Ne4 21. Rac1 f5 22. f3 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Nd6 24. c5 bxc5 25. Bd3 Rc8 26. b3 Bf6 27. Ba6 c4 28. Bxb7 Nxb7 29. bxc4 Qxc4 30. Qf2 Qa4 31. Qd2 $4 { White blunders in a slightly worse position. } 31... Rd8 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "Alekhine Memorial"] [Site "Moscow URS"] [Date "1956.10.13"] [Round "4"] [White "Victor Ciocaltea"] [Black "Wolfgang Uhlmann"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C02"] [Opening "French Defense: Advance Variation, Main Line"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. a3 c4 7. Ng5 h6 8. Nh3 Bd7 9. Nf4 O-O-O 10. g3 Na5 11. Nd2 Ne7 12. Bg2 Nf5 13. O-O Be7 14. Rb1 g6 15. Re1 Kb8 16. Nf1 Bxa3 17. b4 Bxc1 18. Qxc1 Nb3 19. Qb2 Rc8 20. Bh3 Nbxd4 $5 { Sacrificing a knight for two connected passed pawns. The position blasts open and the chaos begins! I am optimistic about Black's chances since White does not have much activity at the moment. } 21. cxd4 c3 22. Qc1 Nxd4 23. Bg2 Bb5 { The threat is g5 followed by Ne2+ } 24. Qe3 g5 25. Nh5 Nc2 { Can't escape all the forks! } 26. Qc1 Nxe1 27. Qxe1 Bd3 28. Nf6 Rhd8 29. Ra1 d4 30. Ne4 Bxe4 31. Bxe4 d3 32. Ne3 Qd4 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "Reggio Emilia 9192"] [Site "Reggio Emilia ITA"] [Date "1991.12.28"] [Round "2"] [White "Garry Kasparov"] [Black "Viswanathan Anand"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "C07"] [Opening "French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense"] [UTCDate "2020.08.12"] [UTCTime "20:53:05"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. dxc5 Bxc5 6. Ngf3 Nf6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Qe2 Nbd7 9. Ne4 b6 10. Nxc5 Qxc5 11. Be3 Qc7 12. Bd4 Bb7 13. O-O-O Nc5 14. Be5 Nxd3+ 15. Rxd3 Qc4 16. Nd4 Be4 { The typical strategy in opposite colored bishop middlegames is to be aggressive on your color. Here, both players are following the principle by attacking their opponent's kings. } 17. Re3 Qxa2 18. Bxf6 Bg6 { A nice in-between move which maintains the threats of gxf6 and Qa1+, picking up the rook on h1 next. } 19. Ra3 Qd5 20. h4 ( 20. Be5 f6 { Ultimately, a minor piece still falls. } ) 20... gxf6 21. h5 Qxd4 22. hxg6 hxg6 23. Rah3 f5 { Anand is happy to go into a two rook for a queen endgame due to his king safety and the scattered nature of White's pawns. } 24. Rh4 f4 25. Qf3 Rac8 26. Rxf4 Qc5 27. c3 Kg7 28. Rhh4 Qe5 29. g3 Qe1+ 30. Kc2 Rcd8 31. Rd4 Qe5 32. Rhf4 Qc7 33. Qe3 e5 34. Rxd8 Rxd8 35. Re4 Rd5 36. g4 b5 37. g5 Qd6 38. f3 a5 39. Qe2 Qe6 40. Qh2 Qf5 41. Qg3 ( 41. Qh6+ $2 Kg8 { Qh6+ leads nowhere since there's no follow up with the white rook. Now the queen is just misplaced and has to retreat in order to defend. } ) 41... Qd7 42. Qe1 b4 { Forcing open some files to ensure activity for the major pieces. } 43. cxb4 Qa4+ 44. b3 Qa2+ 45. Kc3 a4 46. bxa4 Qa3+ 47. Kc2 Qxa4+ 48. Kc3 Qa3+ 49. Kc2 Rd3 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Caro Kann Introduction"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/rXDr3iXE"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B10"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "Standard"] { Hello all, this is Mr_Penings bringing you yet another opening guide, this time on the Caro Kann, a much more solid defense if the Sicilian doesn't suit your style. ‚ù§Ô∏èPlease give this study a like (Heart) and share with others! } 1. e4 c6 { Three principles to keep in mind when playing the Caro Kann: 1) You will likely have to play endgames 2) Bishops are not as effective than in other sharper openings like Sicilian 3) Superior pawn structure is a common advantage to play for }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Sample Game "] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/4gkbkMRZ"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "Standard"]
[Event "Las Palmas"] [Site "Las Palmas ESP"] [Date "1994.05.23"] [Round "2"] [White "Alexey Shirov"] [Black "Anatoly Karpov"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Short Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "Standard"] { This game is a great illustration how Black dominates on the queenside very slowly while restricting any counterplay on the kingside by White. Very nice technique, and smooth positional win. } 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 c5 6. O-O Nc6 7. c3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Nge7 9. a3 Nc8 { Quite common in the advanced Caro Kann to maneuver the knight from g8-e7-c8 to head over to the queenside. In this case, it can hop in to c4 outpost if White ever expands too far with b4. } 10. Nbd2 Be7 11. b3 a5 12. Bb2 N8a7 13. Re1 O-O 14. Nf1 Rc8 15. Ng3 Bg6 16. Qd2 Qb6 17. Bd1 Rc7 18. h4 h6 19. Re2 Rfc8 { Slow but effective plan. } 20. Qf4 Nb8 $5 { Try to reflect on why Karpov plays this weird looking move Nb8!? My best guess is the knight wasn't effective on c6, so it's moving out of the way to open up the power of the rooks. And as a backup, it can defend on the kingside with Nd7 later. } 21. Re3 Nb5 22. Ne2 Nd7 23. Nh2 Rc6 { Making room for the queen to drop back to d8 to defend. Again, very slow and patient, true to Karpov and the Caro Kann's style. } 24. Ng4 Qd8 25. Rh3 Qf8 26. a4 Na3 27. Bxa3 Bxa3 28. Rg3 h5 29. Ne3 Bb2 30. Ra2 Bc1 { Tempting White to play Nxc1 so the rook can invade. Otherwise, the bishop acts as a huge pest. } 31. Qg5 Qb4 32. Nf4 Bxe3 33. fxe3 Rc1 34. Nxg6 Rxd1+ 35. Kh2 fxg6 36. Qxg6 Qe7 { Clean-up crew. Get your mops ready } 37. Rf2 Qxh4+ 38. Rh3 Qxf2 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: * Caro-Kann Important Themes "] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/8C9BGQZC"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2p5/4P3/8/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "From Position"] *
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Theme #1"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/D10CGFsm"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r2qk2r/ppb2pp1/2p1pn1p/7P/2PP4/5N2/PP1BQPP1/2KR3R b kq - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "From Position"] 1... b5 { c4 may seem like a plus for White, but in fact, it is actually a weakness because of Black's thematic b5! In fact, in the main lines, one of Black's plans is to tempt White into playing c4. White does not have a good response to b5. } 2. cxb5 ( 2. c5 Qd5 { Black still gets the important d5 square } ) ( 2. b3 { This move holds on to the c4 pawn, but it does allow an open b-file for Black } 2... bxc4 3. bxc4 Rb8 { Great attacking chances to come } ) 2... Qd5
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Theme #2"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/Ynz6qwvJ"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3p4/3PP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "From Position"] 1. exd5 cxd5 2. Nc3 $6 { Very common move in the Exchange Caro, but is an inaccuracy! You may wonder: How can a simple knight move be inaccurate? The keys here are the d4 pawn and the knight on c3. With the knight acting as a roadblock, the pawn will be hard to defend since c3 is unavailable for the pawn. In addition, since Black's d5 pawn is well defended, the knight on c3 cannot find a lot of activity in the center. } ( 2. Bd3 { Bd3 + c3 is stronger and is one of the main lines. } ) ( 2. c4 { The other main line: playing c4 before Nc3 adds pressure to the center. } ) 2... Nc6 3. Nf3 Bg4 { Pinning the knight, making d4 even more vulnerable now } 4. Be2 e6 5. O-O Bd6 6. h3 Bh5 { This is a possible continuation. White has little coordination with his pieces. The d4 pawn is much weaker than Black's counterpart on d5 since it's not guarded by a pawn. Black gets quick and easy development. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Theme #3"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/flU4XcUA"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "rn1qkbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3pPb2/3P1P2/8/PPP3PP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "From Position"] { This type of position is reached in many of the advanced variations. } 1... h5 { An important move to prevent White from playing g4 and start to establish a nice outpost on f5 for a knight. } 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bd3 Nh6 { Black welcomes an exchange of light squared bishops, so the knight can now occupy f5. The c5 pawn break is next and Black gets a very comfortable middlegame. [%cal Gc6c5] }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Theme # 4"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/gjhS50Aj"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r2q1rk1/pp1nbpp1/2p1pn1p/7P/3P4/5NN1/PPPBQPP1/2KR3R w - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "From Position"] { Common attacking theme for White in the main line. White plays for g4 in attempt to break open the kingside with the pawn break of g5. Black has to be prepared } 1. Nf1 { With a clear idea of g4 next. At first glance, it looks like a free pawn, but White gets lots of compensation down the g-file that ultimately it is a poison pawn. } 1... Nb6 $1 { Since you already know that White is planning g4 next, here is a common trick I like to use: Imagine you get 2 free moves here (one move now and one move after an "automatic" g4 from White). In this case, Nb6 + Qd5 is a good counter since you get immediate counterplay on the queenside } ( 1... c5 { Normal looking. } 2. g4 $5 { Not going to say this is move is winning, but it is difficult for a human player to defend accurately. White has a direct plan of breaking open the g-file to attack. } ) 2. g4 Qd5 3. Kb1 Qb5 { Of course, Black welcomes a queen trade to wipe out any possible kingside attacks from White. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Theme #5"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/rUhlOok6"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp2bppp/2n1p3/3n4/3P4/2NB1N2/PP3PPP/R1BQR1K1 b - - 0 1"] [Opening "?"] [SetUp "1"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "From Position"] { Caro-Kann players must be ready to play against isolated queen pawn positions, which arise after majority of the c4 lines. Overarching principle: Trade minor pieces and blockade the d5 square so White doesn't ever push d5. } 1... Nf6 2. a3 b6 { Finishing development and then lining up rooks on the d- and c- files to exert more pressure in the center. See Judit Polgar - Anatoly Karpov game below for an illustration of middlegame plans for both sides. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Sidelines "] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/K2Oag9lj"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "Standard"]
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 2. c4"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/zK19R38G"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B10"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Modern Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. cxd5 ( 4. d4 { See Chapter on Panov-Botvinnik below. } ) 4... Nf6 { In this chapter, we'll look at tricky Bb5+ and Qa4+. The next part will be on the main line, 5. Nc3. } 5. Qa4+ { A tricky line in attempt to hold on to the d5 pawn. But with accurate play, Black should be able to castle safely and ultimately win back the d5 pawn. But be careful, this line is quite tricky! } ( 5. Bb5+ { The strategy is rather similar to the Qa4+ line. } 5... Nbd7 6. Nc3 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. d6 $1 { The most demanding line, which scores quite well for White in practice. White gives back the pawn immediately before black gets to castle, to basically force a queen trade and play a slightly better endgame. } ( 8. O-O O-O { An improved version of the Qa4+ line since the bishop is on b5 and not c4 } ) 8... exd6 9. Qe2+ Qe7 10. Qxe7+ Kxe7 11. O-O Rd8 12. d4 Kf8 { I'd say the position is about equal, White being slightly better if anything. But it's a fairly symmetrical position and balanced. } ) 5... Nbd7 6. Nc3 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. Bc4 O-O { Important to get castled first before you start to get tangled up in the center. } 9. d3 a6 10. Qa3 b6 { Preparing Bb7 and only then, b5. b5 right away leads to Bxb5, where White takes advantage of the unprotected rook on a8. } 11. O-O Bb7 12. Re1 Re8 13. h3 b5 14. Bb3 Nb6 { And only now do you win back the d-pawn. As is the case with the Caro-Kann in general, you need high patience if you want to play this opening. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 2. c4 part 2"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/4qAcRSfC"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B10"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Modern Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. cxd5 Nf6 5. Nc3 { I have played the White side of this variation for years now, and it has always given be difficult games. } 5... Nxd5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Bb5 e6 8. O-O Bd6 { Less popular than Be7, but it is far more active. As long as Black can castle safely, the middlegame should be pretty balanced. } 9. d4 ( 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. Re1+ Be6 { White cannot easily take advantage of the king stuck in the center in the next move. So Black castles next and reaches an equal middlegame. } ) 9... O-O 10. Re1 Bd7 11. Bd3 Rc8 12. a3 Nce7 13. Ne4 Bb8 { Black has good piece coordination here. Knights are connected, a piece is coming to f4 next to exchange minor pieces. Just watch for potential kingside dangers and you'll be fine. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Nf3 + Nc3"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/iWPnHQ4l"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B11"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation, Exchange Line"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 { A popular line to sidestep any of the main line variations. This scores pretty well for White in practice, but there are lines for Black that can be more annoying for your opponent to face, which I will show. } 3... Bg4 4. h3 Bxf3 { An instance of where bishop exchanging for knight is reasonable. The reason is Black's triangle pawn formation is very solid and it's hard for White to fully take advantage of the bishop pair advantage. } 5. Qxf3 e6 6. d3 ( 6. d4 { Also playable to aim for a more open position. } 6... Nf6 7. e5 ( 7. Bd3 dxe4 8. Nxe4 Qxd4 9. Be3 Bb4+ { Forcing the king to move } 10. Ke2 Qd8 11. Rhd1 Nbd7 { White has compensation for the pawn, but it still quite solid for Black here. } ) 7... Nfd7 8. Bd3 c5 ) 6... Nf6 { Here White has 3 common tries: Bd2, g3, and g4. } 7. Bd2 { The most popular and sharpest line of the trio. } ( 7. g3 Bb4 { Threatening d4 } 8. Bd2 d4 9. Nb1 Qb6 { Black is definitely comfortable here in terms of development and space. Nbd7 and castle either side is playable. } ) ( 7. g4 Bb4 { Same recipe as 7. g3: Play Bb4 to annoy White } 8. Bd2 ( 8. g5 Qa5 $1 9. Bd2 d4 10. gxf6 dxc3 { This works out tactically in Black's favor. } ) 8... d4 9. Nb1 Qb6 ) 7... Qb6 $1 { Chasing after the now undefended b2 pawn. Black is tempting 0-0-0 from White. } 8. O-O-O d4 9. Ne2 c5 { And Black scores very well here in practice. The position is quite locked up and White can hardly create open diagonals for the bishop pair. } 10. g4 Nc6 11. g5 Nd7 { Black is going to castle long next. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 2. f4"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/FFCaOWBN"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B10"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. f4 { This line is harmless for Black. There's a reason why it's not played often, and why it will always remain a poor sideline choice for White. } 2... d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. d4 ( 5. d3 { Too passive. } 5... c5 ) 5... c5 6. c3 Nc6 { An advanced French with the typical "French bishop" outside of the pawn chain instead of in prison on c8. Black is comfortable here. Qb6 next to attack the soon-to-be base of pawn chain d4. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 2. d3 Kings Indian attack"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/Un7JKANN"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B10"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Breyer Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. d3 { White attempts to mimic the Kings Indian Attack setup against the French. However, it comes at one drawback: Black hasn't played e6! That means as black, you should take advantage of this by playing e5 in one move! } 2... d5 3. Nd2 e5 4. Ngf3 Bd6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Re8 8. Re1 d4 { Important to play d4 as soon as White plays Re1 to mitigate the power of the rook. } 9. c3 c5 10. Nc4 Bc7 11. a4 Nc6 { Black has a good space advantage in the center. The Nc4 is not on an outpost, so a good long term plan is to eventually kick the knight back with a6 + b5. Comfortable position for Black. No troubles }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: The Infamous Penings-He Gambit"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/h9dBHNSY"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B15"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: von Hennig Gambit"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "Standard"] { Yes, the gambit has the unofficial name of Penings-He Gambit, and yes that's my name attached to it. I've played this gambit online for years but to be frank, it has been refuted, which is the reason I stopped playing it as White. I will shamelessly show you the refutation to my own gambit. } 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Bc4 ( 4. f3 exf3 5. Nxf3 Nf6 6. Bc4 { Transposes } ) 4... Nf6 5. f3 exf3 6. Nxf3 Bf5 $1 { The key move. With this setup, White cannot generate any play and will get zero compensation for the gambited pawn. } 7. O-O e6 8. Ne5 Bg6 { A must-play move. } ( 8... Nbd7 $4 { Blunder! } 9. Rxf5 exf5 10. Nxf7 { And White wins } ) 9. Bg5 Nbd7 { Black's pieces are well coordinated to stop White's entire attack. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Main Lines "] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/4cQgHRB7"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "Standard"]
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 3. f3 Fantasy Variation"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/xGlnqD8I"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Mar√≥czy Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3 { The Fantasy variation, from my own speculation, is named because White has a fantasy of getting the full pawn center before playing Nc3. Like all openings, there really is no refutation to the Caro-Kann. Moving the f-pawn too early has its drawbacks. } 3... Qb6 $1 { Weird looking, but this has been the known way to approach the Fantasy variation. Black eyes the long g1-a7 diagonal to punish White's early f3 } 4. Nc3 ( 4. a4 e5 5. dxe5 a5 6. exd5 Bc5 { With plenty of compensation in the form of activity on the dark squares. } ) 4... dxe4 5. fxe4 e5 { Now White is in some trouble to protect the dream pawn center, which is going down! } 6. dxe5 ( 6. Nf3 exd4 7. Nxd4 Nd7 8. Be2 Ngf6 { Again, having the queen on b6 is placing a ton of pressure on the dark squares. White cannot safely castle here } 9. O-O $2 Bc5 $1 ) 6... Be6 7. Nf3 Nd7 { Although Black is temporarily down a pawn, White's double isolated e-pawns will not last long. Black will get castled and play Bc5 next. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 3. Nc3/Nd2"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/8LPcftRz"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B18"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Flohr Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 ( 5. Nc5 { A rare attempt, but the awkward placement of the knight on c5 must be punished! } 5... e5 $5 6. Nxb7 Qb6 7. Nc5 Bxc5 8. dxc5 Qxc5 { Black regains the pawn and has a nice lead in development! } ) ( 5. Bd3 Qxd4 6. Nf3 Qd8 7. Qe2 Bxe4 8. Bxe4 Nf6 { In theory, White has compensation for the pawn, but Black is definitely not worse. } ) 5... Bg6 6. Nh3 ( 6. N1e2 Nf6 7. Nf4 { Transposes to the Nh3 line } ) 6... Nf6 7. Nf4 e5 { A thematic move in these kind of positions. See Breckenridge - Dreev game below for a sample. The trick is after dxe5, black has Qa5+ to regain the pawn. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 3. Nc3/Nd2 part 2"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/TnNt5CDR"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B19"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Lobron System"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:22:24"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bd2 { The other popular line is 11. Bf4, which will be covered in the next chapter. } 11... Ngf6 12. O-O-O Be7 13. Kb1 ( 13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 Nf6 15. Qe2 Qd5 { Black occupies the nice central square d5. You may ask: "Hmm, can't White just play c4 to kick away the queen?" Yes, but as seen in Theme #1 above, Black actually welcomes c4, so playing b5 will aim to win the d5 square altogether. } 16. c4 Qe4 17. Qxe4 Nxe4 18. Be3 f5 { Balanced position here. f4 is the current threat, since Bxf4 Nxf2 forks the two rooks. } ) 13... Qb6 14. Ne4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 Nf6 16. Qe2 Qb5 { Offering a queen trade. Of course, the doubled b-pawns are a strength since it claims the d5 square for your knight and the open c-file. } 17. c4 Qf5+ 18. Ka1 Rd8 { A well timed b5 should be next. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 3. Nc3/Nd2 part 3"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/xdsykl28"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B19"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Spassky Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:09"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bf4 Bb4+ ( 11... Qa5+ { Qa5+ is the main line, but Bb4+ is a more uncommon approach, but it scores better for Black in practice. Bb4+ is much simpler and focuses on smaller advantages. } ) 12. c3 Be7 13. O-O-O ( 13. O-O { Castling kingside just does not make sense since the h5 pawn is so far advanced and White cannot claim any advantage whatsoever. } 13... Ngf6 14. c4 O-O ) 13... Ngf6 14. Kb1 a5 { Rush the a-pawn up the board to create a new base of the pawn chain to attack. } 15. Ne4 ( 15. c4 a4 16. Ne4 Nxe4 17. Qxe4 a3 18. b3 Nf6 19. Qc2 ) 15... Nxe4 16. Qxe4 a4 17. Ne5 a3 18. b3 Nf6 19. Qf3 Qd5
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 3. Nc3/Nd2 part 4"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/RWgmAlb7"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B19"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Lobron System"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:09"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bd2 Ngf6 12. O-O-O Be7 13. Qe2 O-O 14. Nf1 { This is the position from Theme #4. Read above for more detail } 14... Nb6 15. g4 Qd5 16. Kb1 Qb5 { And now White's g4 just seems overextending since the queens are going to be off the board, and pawns cannot move backwards. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 3. e5"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/5oR2wMmO"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:09"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 { This chapter, I will analyze the somewhat challenging 4th move sidelines: Nc3, Ne2, Be3, and f4. } 4. Nc3 { An ambitious line which plans g4 next move. The drawback here is the d4 pawn will be hard to maintain with the pawn chain, since c3 is no longer available. } ( 4. Ne2 e6 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h5 7. Bd3 Bxd3 8. Qxd3 c5 { This is an improved version of the advanced French, with the Bc8 out and gone. Nc6 + Qb6 is normal. The Ng3 now just seems misplaced and would love to be tipped to f3. } ) ( 4. Be3 { A common move amongst titled players. It seems very counterintuitive since the bishop is stuck on e3, but the goal is more positional. The bishop prevents Black from playing c5, and Nd2-Nb3 is up next to make c5 even harder. } 4... e6 5. Nd2 Ne7 6. Ngf3 Bg6 7. Nh4 Nf5 8. Nxf5 Bxf5 9. Nb3 Nd7 10. Be2 Be7 11. O-O O-O 12. c3 f6 ) ( 4. f4 e6 5. Nf3 h5 { See Theme #3 for more detail. } 6. Bd3 Nh6 7. O-O c5 8. c3 Nc6 ) 4... e6 5. g4 Bg6 6. Nge2 c5 7. h4 h5 8. Nf4 Bh7 9. Nxh5 { A pawn sacrifice, but Black immediately strikes the d4 pawn, and the pawn center will likely collapse under pressure. } 9... Nc6 10. dxc5 ( 10. Bb5 cxd4 11. Qxd4 Ne7 ) 10... Bxc5
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 3. e5 part 2"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/da3CehE8"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Tal Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:09"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 { This chapter, I will analyze the ambitious 4. h4 and 4. g4 } 4. h4 ( 4. g4 { A very direct move to force the bishop somewhere, but often times White does not have enough compensation for the overly advanced g-pawn. Black has lots of good replies here (including Bc8!) since g4 is quite a committal move. } 4... Be4 { Forcing sequence } 5. f3 Bg6 6. h4 h5 7. e6 Qd6 8. exf7+ Bxf7 { Black's doing well here. } ) 4... Qb6 { Qb6 acts as a waiting move to force White to commit something. White would love to have Black play e6. But here, White does not want to play g4 because Black can play Bd7, and the advanced kingside pawns are now very ugly for White. } ( 4... e6 $4 { Do NOT fall for this trap! The bishop is trapped now } 5. g4 Be4 6. f3 Bg6 7. h5 ) 5. Nc3 ( 5. g4 Bd7 6. Nc3 e6 { White now wishes the g and h pawns were back on the original squares. } ) 5... h5 6. Nge2 e6 7. Ng3 Bg6 8. Be2 c5 { With a similar plan to 4. Nc3 in the previous chapter. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 3. e5 part 3"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/IayU0jx7"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Short Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:09"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 { This chapter, I will analyze the two most popular lines: Nf3, and Bd3. } 4. Nf3 { Most common amongst players of all levels, from beginners all the way up to Super-GM! Nf3 is quite a flexible move, and it's impossible to tell what White's plan is here. } ( 4. Bd3 { Bd3 is quite common at the lower levels, but it is harmless. Think advance French, where the Bc8 is horrible. Now, white is intentionally offering to swap the bishops. } 4... Bxd3 5. Qxd3 e6 6. c3 c5 { That's it. Simple as that. An immensely improved version of the Advanced French. } ) 4... e6 5. Be2 Ne7 6. O-O Nd7 7. Nbd2 ( 7. c4 { Also possible for White to play c4 + Nc3 instead of Nbd2. This does give Black a permanent outpost on d5 for his knight, but White argues that the new space advantage is also a plus. } 7... dxc4 8. Bxc4 Nb6 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Ned5 11. Nc3 Be7 ) 7... h6 8. Nb3 g5 { Since White is controlling the c5 square, Black switches gears and plays on the kingside! See Alekseenko - Artemiev below for a sample game. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: 3. exd5 and 4. Bd3"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/gcSDd9PN"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B13"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:10"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 ( 4. Nc3 $6 { See Theme #2 for a reminder of why Nc3 is an inaccuracy here. } ) 4... Nc6 5. c3 Qc7 6. Ne2 ( 6. Nf3 Bg4 { Bg4 is basically an automatic response to Nf3, which almost always leads to equality right away. } ) ( 6. h3 e5 7. dxe5 Nxe5 8. Bc2 Nf6 9. Nf3 Nxf3+ 10. Qxf3 Bd6 11. O-O O-O { Balanced position. } ) 6... Bg4 7. f3 ( 7. O-O Nf6 8. Qe1 e6 9. f3 Bh5 10. Qh4 Bg6 ) 7... Bd7 8. Bf4 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 { White's f3 push hinders his position. Now Black can take over on the dark squares with Qb6 or Bc5 in the near future. }
[Event "üèÜ Caro-Kann Defense Repertoire üèÜ: Grandmaster Games in the Caro Kann "] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/B15qse9e/H8w9bYlA"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "?"] [Black "?"] [Result ""] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:10"] [Variant "Standard"]
[Event "London"] [Site "London ENG"] [Date "1922.08.14"] [Round "11"] [White "Henry Ernest Atkins"] [Black "Jose Raul Capablanca"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:10"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Bd3 Bxd3 5. Qxd3 e6 { We reach a pawn structure similar to the advance French with Black having played c6 instead of c5. However, the advantage is the light squared bishop, the usual drawback of the French, is exchanged for White's good bishop. } 6. Ne2 Qb6 7. O-O Qa6 { Caro-Kann players must be willing to trade pieces into an endgame with small advantages to press for a win. In this case, Black can say he has the superior bishop and no clear weaknesses, a good sign entering the endgame. } 8. Qd1 { White wisely declines the trade and hopes to utilize the kingside space advantage for an attack. } 8... c5 9. c3 Nc6 10. Nd2 cxd4 { Correct time to exchange on d4 since the White knight just moved from b1. Otherwise, it can easily hop in to c3, the ideal square. } 11. cxd4 Qd3 12. Nb3 Qxd1 13. Rxd1 Nge7 14. Bd2 a5 15. Rac1 b6 { Cutting off the important c5 square from White's knight. Now it's a matter of slow endgame technique. Capablanca plays it very smoothly and is very instructive. } 16. a4 Kd7 17. Nc3 Na7 { No outpost for you! } 18. Kf1 Nec6 19. Ke2 Rc8 20. Be1 Be7 21. Nb1 f5 22. exf6 Bxf6 23. Bc3 Nb4 24. Bd2 ( 24. Bxb4 $5 axb4 { White does not really want to exchange bishop for knight. Even though Black will have doubled b-pawns, they are extremely difficult to attack. On the downside, the a4 pawn is not on an more b-file, making it more vulnerable. } ) 24... Nac6 25. Be3 Na2 { Very interesting. The Na2 is quite a pest, allowing Black to fully control the c-file. } 26. Rc2 Rc7 27. Na3 Rhc8 28. Rcd2 Na7 29. Rd3 Nb4 30. R3d2 Rc6 31. Rb1 Be7 32. Ra1 Bd6 33. h3 R6c7 34. Rad1 Na2 35. Ra1 Bxa3 36. Rxa2 Bb4 37. Rd1 Rc4 38. Rc1 Nc6 { Threatening Nxd4+ } 39. Rxc4 dxc4 40. Nd2 Bxd2 41. Kxd2 Kd6 { Black has the superior minor piece. } 42. Kc3 Kd5 43. Ra1 g6 44. f3 Rb8 45. Ra3 b5 46. axb5 Rxb5 47. Bf2 Nb4 48. b3 cxb3 49. Kxb3 Nc6+ 50. Kc3 Rb1 51. Ra4 Rc1+ 52. Kd2 Rc4 53. Ra1 a4 54. Ra3 Na7 55. Ra1 Nb5 56. Rb1 Kc6 57. Kd3 Rc3+ 58. Kd2 Rb3 59. Rc1+ Kb7 60. Rc2 a3 61. Bg3 Nxd4 62. Rc7+ Kb6 63. Rc4 Kb5 64. Rc8 Nc6 65. Ra8 Rb2+ 66. Ke3 Rxg2 67. Bf2 Nb4 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "New York"] [Site "New York, NY USA"] [Date "1927.03.13"] [Round "15"] [White "Aron Nimzowitsch"] [Black "Jose Raul Capablanca"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:10"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Bd3 Bxd3 5. Qxd3 e6 6. Nc3 Qb6 7. Nge2 c5 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. O-O Ne7 10. Na4 Qc6 11. Nxc5 Qxc5 12. Be3 Qc7 13. f4 Nf5 14. c3 Nc6 15. Rad1 g6 16. g4 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 h5 $1 { Very common idea in the Caro-Kann. After h5, White is forced into a very committal move. If the g-pawn moves, it leaves a very useful outpost on f5 for Black. If h3, Black can take over the h-file with hxg4 hxg4. } 18. g5 O-O 19. Nd4 Qb6 20. Rf2 Rfc8 21. a3 Rc7 22. Rd3 Na5 23. Re2 Re8 24. Kg2 Nc6 25. Red2 Rec8 26. Re2 Ne7 { Sometimes, it is hard to play for a win in such closed positions. The best plan is just to keep maneuvering and trying. } 27. Red2 Rc4 28. Qh3 Kg7 29. Rf2 a5 30. Re2 Nf5 { Black accepts a pawn weakness in order to dislodge the annoying knight on d4. Playing for a win! } 31. Nxf5+ gxf5 32. Qf3 ( 32. Qxh5 $2 Rh8 33. Qf3 Rh4 { Black will ultimately win the pawn on f4 and has tons of counterplay in addition. } ) 32... Kg6 33. Red2 Re4 34. Rd4 Rc4 35. Qf2 Qb5 36. Kg3 Rcxd4 37. cxd4 Qc4 { Black's pieces are invading! It is interesting to compare the relative king safeties. } 38. Kg2 b5 39. Kg1 b4 40. axb4 axb4 41. Kg2 Qc1 42. Kg3 Qh1 43. Rd3 Re1 { Now all that's left is to look for tactical shots to win the game. } 44. Rf3 Rd1 45. b3 Rc1 46. Re3 Rf1 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "Varna ol (Men) fin-A"] [Site "Varna BUL"] [Date "1962.10.03"] [Round "6"] [White "Andreas Dueckstein"] [Black "Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [ECO "B18"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:10"] [Variant "Standard"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. Nf3 Nd7 7. Bd3 e6 8. O-O Qc7 9. c4 O-O-O { Castling queenside is a bit risky, but it adds to the dynamics of the game with attacks on either end. Plans of h5-h4 is possible } 10. Bxg6 hxg6 11. Qa4 Kb8 12. b4 Nh6 13. Qb3 Nf5 14. a4 e5 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Nxe5 Qxe5 17. Bb2 Qc7 18. c5 a5 $5 { A fairly interesting move that achieves multiple purposes. 1) To slow down White's pawn storm. 2) Create pawn weaknesses for White to attack later with Rh4, and along with that, doubling up rooks is next in the sequence. } 19. Rad1 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Rh4 21. bxa5 Bxc5 22. a6 b6 23. Re1 Ka7 24. Be5 Qd7 25. Ne4 Bd4 26. g3 Bxe5 $5 { Interesting choice by Petrosian to sacrifice the exchange but also damage White's pawn structure around his king. If Black can safely maneuver his pieces to coordinate an attack without risking the king safety, then he'll be in good shape. } 27. gxh4 Nd4 28. Qd1 Qd5 29. Re3 Nf5 30. Re1 Nd4 31. Qd3 f5 32. Ng5 c5 { A pretty sight. White has a seemingly dangerous pawn on a6, but the lack of open files makes the rook quite useless at the moment. } 33. Re3 c4 34. Qd1 Kxa6 35. Ra3 Bf6 36. h3 f4 37. Qg4 Ka5 { White's pieces are completely disconnected while Black just has the simple but strong plan of pushing the c-pawn to promotion. } 38. Nf3 Kb4 39. Nxd4 Kxa3 40. Nc2+ Kxa4 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "Pepe Cuenca Invitational"] [Site "chess24.com INT"] [Date "2020.04.12"] [Round "1.3"] [White "Leinier Dominguez Perez"] [Black "Vladislav Artemiev"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [BlackElo "2716"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Short Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:10"] [Variant "Standard"] [WhiteElo "2758"] 1. e4 c6 { GM Artemiev is known to play the Caro-Kann and get very very miniscule advantages in endgames. This one is quite instructive win over fellow Super-GM Dominguez Peres } 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 Nd7 6. O-O Bg6 7. Nbd2 Nh6 8. Nb3 Be7 9. Bf4 ( 9. Bxh6 { There's always debate over whether or not Bxh6 is worth it for White. At the cost of the bishop pair, White creates double isolated h-pawn troubles for Black, but that can also give Black chances with the open g-file. } ) 9... Nf5 10. c3 O-O 11. Bd3 ( 11. g4 Nh4 { g4 doesn't scare Black. The knight has an outpost on h4 } ) 11... c5 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. Nxc5 Bxc5 14. Qe2 Nh4 15. Nxh4 Qxh4 16. Be3 Rac8 17. Rad1 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 Qa4 { This is a typical pawn structure in the advanced Caro-Kann. Black's plan is to try to create pawn weaknesses on the queenside with b5-b4 while White's is to attack on the kingside with f4-f5. } 19. a3 Qb3 20. Bc1 b5 21. h4 Qc4 22. Qg3 ( 22. Qxc4 $6 bxc4 { Trading queens has to favor Black because now White has a huge backwards pawn weakness on b2. } ) 22... Kh8 23. h5 h6 24. Be3 Bxe3 25. Qxe3 Qg4 26. Qxa7 Qxh5 27. Qe3 Rc4 28. Rd4 Rfc8 29. Rfd1 Qf5 30. g3 Rxd4 31. Rxd4 $2 { Dropping the essential b2 pawn by mistake. But this is a blitz game. } 31... Qb1+ 32. Kg2 Qxb2 33. Rf4 Kg8 34. Qa7 Rf8 35. Qc5 Qe2 36. Qd6 Qb2 37. Qc5 Qe2 38. Qd6 h5 39. Qc7 Qd3 40. Qc5 g5 41. Rd4 Qe2 42. Qd6 Rc8 43. Qd7 Rxc3 44. Qd8+ Kh7 45. Qxg5 Qf3+ 46. Kg1 Rc2 47. Rf4 $4 { Missing Black's idea. } 47... Rc1+ { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "Russian Championship Superfinal"] [Site "Izhevsk RUS"] [Date "2019.08.13"] [Round "3.3"] [White "Kirill Alekseenko"] [Black "Vladislav Artemiev"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [BlackElo "2757"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Short Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:10"] [Variant "Standard"] [WhiteElo "2668"] { This game is a good example of how Black can attack on the kingside in the advance Caro-Kann instead of the more normal queenside breaks. } 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 h6 6. O-O Ne7 7. Nbd2 Nd7 8. Nb3 g5 { Very common plan to expand on the queenside. If White uses his resources to prevent c5, Black can switch gears and play on the kingside. } 9. a4 Bg7 10. a5 O-O 11. c3 Qc7 12. h4 g4 13. Ne1 h5 14. Nd3 Ng6 15. Nf4 Nxf4 16. Bxf4 f6 { Now the attack is forming, with an f-file about to open up. } 17. exf6 Qxf4 18. fxg7 Kxg7 19. Qc1 e5 20. c4 Be6 21. c5 a6 { Important to stop White's counterplay. If White gets to play a6 successfully, Black's pawn chain will be precarious. } 22. dxe5 Qxc1 23. Raxc1 Rf4 24. Rfd1 Nxe5 25. Rc3 Re8 26. Re3 Bc8 27. Nd4 Rff8 28. Bd3 Kf6 29. Kh2 Re7 30. Kg3 Rfe8 31. Bc2 Nd7 32. Rxe7 Rxe7 33. b4 Nf8 34. Kf4 Re5 35. f3 Ne6+ 36. Nxe6 Bxe6 37. Bg6 gxf3 38. gxf3 Bf5 39. Bxf5 Rxf5+ 40. Ke3 Ke5 { Again, we reach a better rook endgame for Black due to the more pawn weaknesses for White (h4, f3, and b4) } 41. Rg1 d4+ 42. Kf2 Kd5 43. Rg7 Kc4 44. Rxb7 d3 45. Rd7 Kc3 46. Ke3 Re5+ 47. Kf4 Re1 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "Israeli Open 2019"] [Site "Jerusalem ISR"] [Date "2019.12.15"] [Round "3.9"] [White "Dvoirys, Semen I."] [Black "Gorodetzky, David"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [BlackElo "2483"] [ECO "B19"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Seirawan Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:10"] [Variant "Standard"] [WhiteElo "2467"] 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 e6 11. Bd2 Ngf6 12. O-O-O Bd6 13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 Nf6 15. Qe2 Bc7 16. c4 b5 $5 { Again, the thematic b5 (See Theme #1). } 17. Kb1 bxc4 18. Qxc4 O-O 19. Qxc6 $6 { A bold attempt to win a pawn. But in opposite sides castling positions, an extra pawn also means an extra open file for your opponent... } 19... Rb8 20. Rc1 Bd6 21. Qa6 Qd7 22. Rc6 Be7 23. Qc4 Nd5 { Beautiful outpost on d5 for the knight, all thanks to the b5 push earlier. } 24. Rc1 Qb7 25. Rc2 Bb4 26. Qa6 Qe7 27. Rc8 Bxd2 28. Rxf8+ Rxf8 29. Rxd2 Qc7 { White would be fine if not for this move. Now Black fully dominantes the c-file } 30. a3 Rc8 31. Ka2 Qc1 32. Qxa7 Qc4+ 33. Kb1 Qb3 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "FIDE World Championship Tournament"] [Site "San Luis ARG"] [Date "2005.09.28"] [Round "?"] [White "Judit Polgar"] [Black "Viswanathan Anand"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [BlackElo "2788"] [ECO "B17"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:10"] [Variant "Standard"] [WhiteElo "2735"] { A great sample game of Caro-Kann, it starts fairly slow but it gets extremely sharp as both sides castle opposite and then Anand gets the faster attack, which leads to victory on the queenside. } 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Bd3 Ngf6 6. Nf3 Nxe4 7. Bxe4 Nf6 8. Bd3 Bg4 9. Be3 e6 10. c3 Bd6 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qe2 Qa5 13. a4 O-O 14. Qc2 Bxf3 15. gxf3 { Seizing the chance to ruin White's pawn structure. The open g-file is hard for White to attack on. It may have been scarier for Black if White got in the standard pawn storm with g4 and h4. } 15... Qh5 16. O-O-O Nd5 17. Kb1 b5 $5 { We see a classic pawn break on the queenside (see Theme #1 below). Since kings are castled on opposite sides, Black can gambit pawns with no risk to king safety, and can open up lines for his rooks for a queenside attack. } 18. Rdg1 ( 18. axb5 cxb5 19. Bxb5 $4 Nxe3 { Bb5 is now hanging } 20. fxe3 Qxb5 ) 18... f6 19. axb5 cxb5 20. Bc1 Rab8 21. Qe2 Rfe8 22. Qe4 Kh8 23. h4 f5 { This move singlehandedly stops all of White's potential attacks. Now it is time to focus on the queenside without worry. } 24. Qe2 Qf7 25. Rg2 Bf4 26. Rhg1 Rg8 27. Be3 Qd7 28. Qd2 Bd6 29. Bc2 Qb7 30. Bg5 b4 31. c4 b3 32. Bd3 Bb4 33. Qe2 Qa6 34. Bh6 Nc3+ $1 35. bxc3 Bxc3 { There is no stop to checkmate without giving up lots of material. } 36. Kc1 Qa3+ 37. Kd1 Qa1+ 38. Bc1 b2 39. Qe3 Bxd4 40. Qd2 bxc1=Q+ 41. Qxc1 Qa2 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "PRO League Group Stage"] [Site "chess.com INT"] [Date "2020.2.17"] [Round "7"] [White "Hansen, Eric"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"] [BlackElo "2736"] [ECO "B11"] [Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation, Retreat Line"] [UTCDate "2020.07.28"] [UTCTime "04:23:10"] [Variant "Standard"] [WhiteElo "2606"] 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. h3 Bh5 5. d3 e6 { Placing all of the pawns on light squares signals that Black doesn't mind trading off the Bh5 since it's the "bad bishop" by definition. } 6. Be2 Nd7 7. Bf4 Bb4 8. O-O Ne7 9. Ne5 Bxc3 { Interesting decision to swap the good bishop. It does give him the better pawn structure going into an endgame as the minors are getting exchanged. } 10. bxc3 Bxe2 11. Qxe2 O-O 12. Nxd7 Qxd7 13. a4 Ng6 14. Bd2 { White can hardly claim any advantage of the bishop over the knight, and it's hard to really come up with an effective plan. } 14... e5 15. a5 f5 16. f3 Rf7 17. Be3 Qe6 18. exf5 Qxf5 19. Rab1 a6 20. Rb4 Rd8 21. c4 h6 22. Rfb1 Rdd7 { Making sure the base of the pawn chain (b7) is fully guarded, otherwise the rest of the chain falls } 23. cxd5 cxd5 24. Rb6 Kh7 25. Qe1 Rc7 { Eyeing a target on c2. e4 seems to be the ideal pawn break which results in the position exploding with play. } 26. R1b2 e4 27. fxe4 dxe4 28. d4 Rfd7 29. Kh2 Ne7 30. Qh4 Nd5 { The knight is clearly the superior minor piece here. It sits on a beautiful square, creating forks here and there. } 31. R6b3 Nxe3 32. Rxe3 Rxd4 33. Qg3 Qxa5 34. Qf4 Re7 35. c3 Rc4 36. Rbe2 Qe5 { 0-1 White resigns. } 0-1