Part IV Caro Kann Exchange Variation

Transcription

1 Part IV Caro Kann Exchange Variation By: David Rittenhouse Welcome to the fourth part of our series on the Caro Kann System! Today we will be reviewing the Exchange Variation of the Caro Kann. This variation has been around for awhile. Fisher enjoyed facing it with white and actually came with a good novelty in the Rubinstein Variation(on 5 Nf6[compared to 5 Qc7] Fisher played the novelty Qb3). In more recent times Peter Svidler(2751) has been known to play this variation with the Black pieces and scoring some good wins. This variation offers good chances for both sides with most equal Middlegames. I won t be reviewing the Fisher line or true Exchange/Rubinstein Variation as he referred to it. We will look at the modern variation with the early Qc7. Now let us review some of the main ideas in the Exchange Variation: The pawn structure resembles that of the Queen s Gambit Declined with the colors reversed. [1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5] White can have the better pawn structure in some lines. White has the initiative but can quickly lose it if he plays wrong. The White King can become exposed in some risky lines. White will seek play in center and on the Kingside. White does not keep the Bishop Pair in most cases. White has the semi open e file for rook play. Black pawn structure can be bad sometimes with doubled g pawn occurring and an isolated d pawn. Black can gain the initiative easily. Black will play in the center with e5 or the Queenside with the minority attack b7 b5 b4, a7 a5 a4. Black may be able to retain the Bishop Pair if he does not then White will not have it either. Black maybe able to gain an early lead in development depending upon which line White plays. Sometimes Black may try for a pawn storm on the Kingside once White has castled to that side. In these cases Black should castle Queenside. Black has the semi open c file for rook play.

2 As before we will review typical piece placement for the Exchange Variation ONLY: The Light Squared Bishop develops with Bg4, Bf5 and sometimes Bd7. As in other variations development of this piece is very important. The Dark Squared Bishop develops with Bd6, Bg7, Bxc5 and Bb5. Mainly you want to seek the active placement(is the Queen on c7?) on d6 with Kingside pressure. The King s Knight develops with Nf6 or Nh6 seeking an outpost on e4, g4 and f5. Sometimes going Nf6 d7(after White plays Bg5) with the e5 break coming. The Queen s Knight develops with Nc6 and will seek play in the center after Black pushes e5. The Queen will develop with Qc7 later on she will seek active play with Qb6 hitting b2. Other placements include Qa5 and Qxd7 after the Bishop trade. Rooks will go to the semi open files and possibly the e file to support the e5 break. Let s go ahead and begin with the example line as before we will review much more during the lecture please feel free to ask questions! 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Qc7

3 Most players will consider this the true starting position for the Exchange Variation. Based on the diagram you will see White can proceed a number of different ways. We will review a couple of these. The Mainline for this lecture is 6. Bg5 Nc6 The threat to double pawns by taking is empty. Black will gain a strong initiative if White tries to push his agenda. We will review this variation on the board! 7. Nd2 Bg4 8. Ngf3 e Be6

4 White is defining their intentions on the Kingside. Seeking active piece play making castling Kingside impossible. Black will simply continue developing and depending how White proceeds he may launch a Kingside pawn storm. First we have to question the intent of White s Bishop. 10. Qc2 h6 11. Bh4 Nh5! Taking the knight to a better placement on f5. Of course White could take the Knight however I do not think that opening the g file is very wise. 12. Rfe1 Nf5 13. Bg We castle Queenside so we can begin a pawn storm on the Kingside. White s initiative is slowly slipping and even if they decide to liquidate the position things do not change. 14. Bxf4 Bxf4 15. h3 Bxf3 16. Nxf5 g5 Black cleary has the initiative. The Queen s Rook will soon go to the g file and create some real pressure against the White King. Black should be weary of action in the center by White. When your opponent attacks on the wing. We attack in the center! one of the unwritten rules of chess. White may try c4 or b4 starting a counter attack on the Queenside. This isn t immediately possible cause their Knight s on the Kingside. White s

5 attack comes to slow and Black should press forward with h5, Rdg8 and if necessary a retreat with Bd6. Join us next week for the Fantasy Variation!