1/3/2019 The Caro-Kann Structure Explained

The Caro-Kann Structure Explained

WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos Category: Openings

02.26.2019 Tags: win games, openings, french, karpov, caro-
kann, advance, typical plans

The pawn structure in the diagram above is very familiar in chess practice. It can arise from openings like
Slav and Semi Slav, Alekhine, Scandinavian, French and of course Caro Kann, the latter being the most
common source of appearance. The special thing about such structure is that although white has more
space, black is rock solid and his plans are very clear. Such a scenario always produces tense positional
battles where both players need to understand the demands of the position and know well what the
typical plans to follow are.
In this article, we want to shed some light on how to play these type of positions with black, what goals to
aim for and what dangers he needs to be aware.

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The following is a list of positional concepts that you must know:

The exchange of pieces– Favors black. The position with TWO minor pieces each is already
considered a success for black
The trade of the dark-squared color bishops also favors black. The absence of this piece is of
significant relevance since it is often the main defender of d4 pawn.
The main goal is to target the d4 pawn. Black often doubles the rooks on the D file and brings his
queen to b6 in order to exert big pressure against white’s center.
An important idea seldom seen is the advance b7-b5. With this pawn thrust, black seeks to
weaken the white pawn on c4; if white plays c5 then black obtains the d5 square for a knight and the
white pawn on d4 is a permanent backward pawn.
The advance with c6-c5 is NOT ALWAYS an equalizer. Although it brings some freedom for the
black pieces, the structure arising after dxc5 or cxd4 gives white a queenside majority in the
endgame. So before advancing c5, it is best to make sure that there are dynamic factors such as
piece activity to keep the balance.
Keep an eye on the d4-d5 break. This is difficult to achieve for white but when he manages to play
it, it usually has a devastating effect on black’s position.

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1/3/2019 The Caro-Kann Structure Explained

It is time now to see some basic examples of how to develop the above-mentioned plans in the game.

The first game we selected is Kostic versus Capablanca, New York 1916. The game started with a Slav
Defense, a variation that is popular nowadays too. In the notes to the game, you will see the key points
Capablanca used to obtain an easy game.

The main element in this game is the simplification of pieces.

Caro-Kann Game 1:
Kostic, Boris vs Capablanca, Jose Raul
New York Rice prel New York 1916 1/2-1/2

1. d4 f6 2.  f3 d5 3. c4 c6 4. e3

f5 5.  c3 e6 6.  d3 xd3
7.  xd3 bd7 8. O-O e7 9. e4 dxe4
Our second selection is a classic of a much modern era, Boris Spassky against Anatoly Karpov, a famous
10.  xe4 xe4 ! Trade minor pieces!
game in which Karpov slowly outplayed his opponent with 10...O-O some classy maneuvering. In this game, we
is also possible but it would
can learn about how to put pressure on the d4 allow pawn and whitewhat to pieces
retreat tothe trade. The game is
knight
considered a positional masterpiece. See the details here:11.  c3  = 11.  xe4
+ f6 12.  e2
O-O = 13.  e1 a5 !? The first step in the
right direction. Black activates his queen
Caro-Kann Game 2: along the 4th rank but also clears the d8
square for the rook to start pressing against
Spassky, Boris V vs Karpov, Anatoly the d4 pawn. 14.  d2 b4 ! Another
Candidates sf1 Leningrad 1974 0-1 good trade for black. The dark square bishop
is a great defender of the d4 pawn so it
makes sense to take it off the board.
1. e4
15.  xb4 c6 2. d4 xb4d516. 
3.  ad1
c3 dxe4 ad8
4. 
17.  xe4 d2 f5
d6 5. 
18.  g3ed1 g6 fd8 6.  19. h3
f3
d7 Black
7.  d3 Solid andequalized
unambitious play.
Our third and final selected game also has Karpov as a protagonist, but now on the whitealmost
a5 has already and side. With the
7. h4 isi the most
d common
19 h6 continuation
!? 20 b3
black pieces is the famous Danish Champion Bent Larsen, these
one of the greatest playersgf6
days 7...e6 8. O-O
of all times.
9. c4
Larsen
played some good chess in his prime. In this game wed6can learnO-O
10. b3 more11. about
b2 the c7 struggle for the d5
square and the strong counterplay black can create 12.  from xg6a more
hxg6 restricted
13.  e2 position.fe8 14.  Ine4this type of
positions, it is easy for white to overextend, which black canxe4 !
taketheadvantage
concept is of. that trades
See all favor below:
the details
black so it is important not to miss this
chance. 14... ad8 would be a big
Caro-Kann Game 3: mistake because of 15.  eg5 ! 14 and
black is under some pressure now.
Karpov, Anatoly vs Larsen, Bent 15.  xe4 e7 ! There were other moves
Montreal Montreal 27 Apr 1979 0-1 in the position but this makes a lot of sense.
the bishop on e7 not only prevents ideas like
Qh4-Ng5 but also is heading to f6 where ti
1. e4
can exertd5 pressure
2. exd5 on xd5white's3.  central
c3 pawn. a5
4. d4 ad1
16.  f6 5. ad8d2 17.  g4fe16.  a5 !e2 Can xe2we
7. ll cxe2
hi h Cb6 8. 
bl f3 bd7 9. O-O
? J likCaro Kann
We hope you enjoyed this article and learn more about an important structure such as the
e6 10. c4 e7 11. b4 O-O 12. a4 c6
structure. Thank you for reading an 13.  c2 c7 14.  fe1 b6 !? Clever
play. Inviting white to advance with a5.
15. a5 fb8 !? 16. a6 16. axb6
axb6 was probably better. Although white
retains some virtual advantage, black is no
worse in my opinion 16...b5 ! 17. c5
17. cxb5 xb5 and black is already
slighly better 17... d5 The point of
16...b5 18.  c1 e8 19.  d3 ad8
20. g3 f6 21.  e4 f8 Black has many
plans at his disposal. Ng6-Rd7-Red8 for
example, or Ng6-Ne7-Nf5. White needs to
take care of his d4 pawn but also, he can't
forget about the pawn on a6. 22. h4 d7

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