Chess Opening Secrets Revealed*: Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense Part I

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 Line

Black has neglected his pawn center in order
to free his position. If he fails to maximize the
deployment of his forces, White's superiority
in the center will become overwhelming. Black
must build up a robust defense, and, when the
time is ripe, counter with ... c5.

Also available:
Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense
Part II
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-caro-kann-defense.html
Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense
Part III
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-caro-k_115289712608313129.html
Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense
Part IV
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-caro-k_115290263166328522.html
Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense
Part V
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-caro-kann-defense_14.html
Chess: Understanding the Caro-Kann Defense
Part VI
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/08/chess-understanding-caro-kann-defense.html

1 e4

White strikes at the central square d5 and near-central
square f5. Additionally, he opens up the d1-h5 and f1-a6
diagonals for the Queen and bishop respectively.

1 ... c6

Black prepares for 2 ... d5 so as to challenge
White's command of the center and he also
makes the a5-d8 diagonal available to the
Queen. Unlike the French Defense (1 e4 e6),
which also initiates 2 ... d5, the Caro-Kann
permits Black to comfortably develop his c8
bishop.

2 d4

Taking charge of e5 and c5 plus opening up the
c1-h6 diagonal for the bishop.

2 ... d5

Black asserts himself in the center by threatening
3 ... dxe4 and so White protects the pawn by
developing the b1 knight:

3 Nc3

3 ... dxe4

4 Nxe4

The knight not only recaptures the pawn but it also
increases its range. From e4, it covers four squares
inside enemy territory (c5, d6 f6, g5) whereas from
c3 it strikes at only two (b5 and d5).

4 ... Bf5

Consequently, the bishop mobilizes with the threat of
5 ... Bxe4.

5 Ng3

Evading capture by attacking the bishop.

5 Nc5
5 Qf3
5 Qd3
5 Bd3

5 ... Bg6

Since the b1-h7 diagonal runs right through enemy
territory, the bishop appropriately maintains
control of it.

5 ... Bc8
5 ... e6
5 ... Bd7
5 ... Be6
5 ... Nf6 6 Nxf5 Qa5+ 7 Bd2 Qxf5 8 Bd3 Qd5 9 Nf3 e6
10 c4 Qd8 11 O-O.
5 ... g6 6 Nxf5 gxf5 7 Nf3 Nf6 8 Bd3 e6 9 O-O Nbd7
10 Re1 Be7 11 c4 Qb6 12 a3 Rg8 13 b4.

6 h4

Gaining space but more importantly threatening 7 h5.

6 Nf3
6 Bc4
6 N1e2
6 Nh3
6 f4

6 ... h6

Creating an escape route for the bishop. 6 ... h5 isn’t
advisable on account of 7 Nh3-f4. Thereafter, Black’s
h5 pawn is vulnerable.

6 ... h5
6 ... Nd7

7 f4

7 Nf3
7 h5
7 Nh3
7 Bc4
7 Bd3
7 N1e2

White intends to limit the bishop’s scope along b1-h7
via 8 f5 and so Black responds with:

7 ... e6

8 Nf3

Mobilization towards the e5 outpost, especially since
it's now butressed by the d4 and f4 pawns.

8 h5

8 ... Nd7

Also playable is 8 ... Bd6 9 Ne5 Bxe5 10 fxe5.
Either way, Black contends for the e5 outpost.

8 ... Nf6
8 ... Bd6

9 h5 Bh7

10 Bd3

Vying for the b1-h7 diagonal.

10 ... Bxd3

11 Qxd3 Qc7

Her ladyship clears the way for queenside castling
and also keeps an eye on the e5 outpost.

11 ... Ngf6
11 ... Bd6

12 Bd2

12 Qe2

12 ... O-O-O

12 ... Ngf6

13 Qe2

Even though the Queen was shielded from the d8 rook
by the d4 pawn and d7 knight, White advisedly eliminates
the possibility of contact between the two. Black doesn’t
have too many problems to solve following 13 0-0-0 Bd6.

13 O-O-O

13 ... c5