Caro-Kann Defense
Caro-Kann Defense
Caro-Kann Defense
STRATEGIC GOALS
OF THE CARO-KANN
PAWN STRUCTURE
Pawn structure is of paramount importance in all of the variations
of the Caro-Kann. Each variation has its own particular structure,
so well consider each of them in a separate section. The following
diagram show only the pawns.
Classical Structure
cuuuuuuuuC
{wDwdwdwD}
{0pDwdp0w}
{wDpDpdw0}
{DwDwDwDP}
{wDw)wDwD}
{DwDwDwdw}
{P)Pdw)PD}
{DwdwDwDw}
vllllllllV
You can see at a glance why the Caro-Kann appeals to endgame
16
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
Advance Structure
cuuuuuuuuC
{wDwdwdwd}
{0pDw0p0p}
{wDpDwDwD}
{DwDp)wDw}
{wDw)wDwD}
{DwDwDwDw}
{P)PDw)P)}
{dwdwdwdw}
vllllllllV
The situation in this structure is quite different from the previous
example. Whites pawn on e5 guarantees that a very substantial
advantage is space. At the same time, however, the center can be
undermined by ...f6 and ...c5.
Exchange Structure
cuuuuuuuuC
{wDwDwdwD}
{0pDwdp0p}
{wDwDpdwD}
{DwDpdwDw}
{wDw)wdwD}
{Dw)wDwDw}
{P)wdw)P)}
{dwDwDwdw}
vllllllllV
The semi-open c- and e-files define the contour of the middlegame
and endgames in the Exchange Variation. White can take control of the
center and advance the f-pawn to f5. Black can use a minority attack,
advancing the b-pawn to b4 to weaken Whites pawn structure. Those
advances often provide the opponent with tactical opportunities, so
they must be used very carefully.
17
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
Panov Structure
cuuuuuuuuC
{wDwdwdwd}
{0pDw0p0p}
{wDwDwDwD}
{DwDwDwDw}
{wDw)wDwD}
{DwdwDwDw}
{P)wDw)P)}
{dwdwdwDw}
vllllllllV
The endgame looks wonderful for Black if you strip away all the
pieces! The isolated pawn at d4 is pathetically weak and in most cases
the king and pawn endgame is a simple win for Black. Life is not so
simple, however. Black has no presence in the center of the board, and
White pieces will have great freedom to move around. The key to the
normal Panov structure is piece placement. This subject is covered in
the next part of the book.
Before we leave the Panov pawn structure, there is one more
important formation to consider. Sometimes White advances the c-
pawn to c5 early in the game. This is the Advanced Panov structure.
18
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
PIECE PLACEMENT
Where should your pieces be positioned for maximum efficiency in
the Caro-Kann? This question cannot be answered generally, because
each of the structures in the last section requires a different answer.
This time well put all the pieces on the board.
Classical Structure
cuuuuuuuuC
{rDw1w4kD}
{0pDngp0w}
{wDpDphw0}
{DwDwDwDP}
{wDw)wDwD}
{DwDwDNHw}
{P)PGQ)PD}
{DwIRDwDR}
vvllllllllVV
King
The King should be castled on the kingside, usually after all the
minor pieces have been developed, but before the rooks or queen
move. You should leave it at g8, rather than sending it to the h-file,
because, in the endgame, proximity to the center is important. You
want to be able to get your king to d5 as quickly as possible.
Queen
The queen should not be developed until it can perform a
genuinely useful function. The queen can be developed to a5, b6, c7.
Try to exchange queens early to get to endgames where the d-pawn can
be weak. One way to do this is with the maneuver ...Qd5-e4, when those
squares are safe for occupation.
Rooks
Usually we want to station our rooks on open files, but here there
arent any. Black can use the semi-open d-file, which can become open
if White plays Ne5 and Black exchanges and lures the d-pawn from d4
to e5. The role of the rooks in the Caro-Kann is generally to support
pawn advances, especially from c6 to c5.
19
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
Bishops
In the Classical lines, the light squared bishop usually leaves the
board pretty quickly. We want to keep our dark squared bishop, so
that it can patrol critical dark squares, especially d6, c5, and e5. If
White plays c3, then Black will have a better bishop in the endgame.
Remember, the pawns guard the light squares, while the bishop and
knights are responsible for the dark squares.
Knights
In the Caro-Kann Defense, the Black knights are quickly placed on
d7 and f6. The knight at d7 guards e5, and helps prepare the liberating
advance of the c-pawn to c5. The knight at f6 keeps an eye on the key
central squares e4 and d5. Black usually has a least one knight in the
endgame, and pure knight endings are quite common.
Pawns
Black has an excellent pawn structure; the only hole is at d6
and White has temporary control of e5. Otherwise there is nothing
to worry about. The advance of Whites g-pawn to g5 is a potential
attacking threat, but it rarely can be used effectively.
The a-pawn can be advanced to a5 as part of a queenside attack,
or to secure the b4-square. This is especially effective when White is
castled on the queenside, which is usually the case.
The b-pawn can only advance at the cost of weakening c6. In rare
cases, when White has placed a pawn or piece at c3, it can be used as
an attacking weapon at b4. In exceptional cases, the pawn goes to b5
to challenge a White pawn at c4, with the idea of freeing d5 for use by
a knight.
The goal of the c-pawn is c5, where it can be exchanged for Whites
d-pawn. Then the c-file can be used for an attack.
The d-pawn is always absent in the Classical Caro-Kann.
The e-pawn advances to e6 and remains there for most of the
game. It can play a significant role in the endgame. Sometimes Black
will advance it to e5 to confront the White d-pawn.
Dont move the f-pawn! It must stay in place to defend the castled
king. In some very rare cases ...f5 may be necessary, but keep in mind
that the backward pawn at e6 will be very weak.
The g-pawn does not move unless forced to do so in reaction to a
direct threat. In the endgame it may play a significant role, but in the
middlegame any advance will weaken important dark squares.
With plenty of defense available on the kingside, pushing the h-
20
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
Advance Structure
cuuuuuuuuC
{rDwDkDw4}
{0phwgp0p}
{wDpDpDnD}
{DwDp)bDw}
{wDw)wDwD}
{DP)wGNDw}
{w)wHB)P)}
{$wDwDRIw}
vllllllllV
In a typical Advance subject, White has greater freedom of
movement and better coordination of the minor pieces. The dark
squared bishop is potentially bad, and Black has nothing to fear from
direct attacks. In this endgame position, White enjoys pressure on the
a-file but can only use a valuable rook to maintain control of it. Black
can aim for ...c5 after castling on the kingside.
King
The King stays in the center for a while, but must inevitably castle
to coordinate the rooks. Kingside castling is normal. Sometimes the
king sits comfortably at d7, and Black should consider this possibility
before castling. In the endgame, the king may wish to operate on the
queenside.
Queen
White doesnt have any useful role for the queen, so often both
queens are developed at b3 and b6. After the exchange, a true endgame
may still be far away, as the rest of the army can remain on the board
for a long time.
Rooks
In the endgame variation, White will keep one rook on the a-file
and use the other one to support action in the center. With no open
files, Black has no immediate plans for the rooks. As long as White has
21
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
a rook at a1, a Black rook at a8 is useful. The other rook can come to
c8, in support of an eventual advance of the c-pawn.
Bishops
The light squared bishop remains on the b1-h7 diagonal for most
of the game. The dark squared bishop operates in the center, where all
of the dark squares are important.
Knights
In this variation, the knights present an awkward problem. They
do not find their way to the most natural squares. One winds up at c7,
where it cannot support the advance of the c-pawn and even blocks
a rook at c8. There is no easy way to reposition it to a more useful
post. Yet it provides a great deal of support, covering b5, e6, and d5.
If White plays c4, Black may be able to get the knight to d5 by playing
...dxc4 and ... b5.
Pawns
The a-pawn advances in the positions with the queens on the
board, but in the endgame variation it should stay at a7, protected by
the rook at a8. The advance to a6 may be forced in some positions, but
going to a5 is risky unless you have potential control of a4 and a3.
The b-pawn stays in place until its advance will achieve some clear
goal. If Black wants to play ...a6, the support of the b-pawn is essential.
In some circumstances, the pawn will advance to b5 in support of ...c5,
or to attack an enemy pawn at c4.
Getting your c-pawn to c5 is your key strategic goal. Then you can
play ...cxd4 and White will have to accept either doubled and isolated
b-pawns or a weak pawn at e5.
The d-pawn is rock solid. If White plays c4, you can consider
capturing, since although it undoubles the pawns, it also gives you a
juicy target at d4. Dont do this if White can quickly play d5!
The e-pawn isnt going anywhere.
The f-pawn can advance to f6 as part of a plan to destroy Whites
center. For this to work, you need pressure at c5 and e5, and the knight
at c7 just isnt well placed to support this. If you feel the e-pawn will
be safe at e6, even after your bishop at f5 is removed, then it is a plan
worth considering.
The g-pawn is stuck in place, which is just as well, since moving it
will only get you into trouble.
The h-pawn is best left alone unless you have some significant
22
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
Exchange Structure
cuuuuuuuuC
{rDqDw4kD}
{0pDwgp0p}
{wDnDphwD}
{DwDpHwDb}
{wDw)wGwD}
{DQ)BDwDw}
{P)wHw)P)}
{$wDwDRIw}
vllllllllV
King
The King should be castled on the kingside as soon as possible. It
would be most unsafe on the queenside, since White can easily blast
open the c-file with c4.
Queen
The queen sometimes gets into the game at b6 or a5, but often it
must rest, at least temporarily, at c8. This mere defensive role is not
permanent, however. In major piece endgames the queen can move to
c6 and exert her powerful influence on the queenside.
Rooks
The placement of the rooks is one of the trickiest questions in
chess, and in the Caro-Kann both sides must wrestle with this difficult
puzzle. It is clear that rooks should be on the c-, d-, and e-files as these
files are either open or contain a weak target pawn. Unfortunately, each
side has only two rooks, and three files are therefore one too many. The
queen can help out, but often she is off on other errands. Careful study
of the illustrative games will give you a good idea of the possibilities.
Bishops
Bishops are a pleasure to deal with in the Caro-Kann. Both bishops
have an easy time developing.
The dark-squared bishop belongs at e7, and even if it has to capture
a White pawn at c5 (a result of d4xc5), it often retreats to e7 when
23
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
Knights
In the Exchange Variation, your Black knights are quickly placed
on c6 and f6, and these are their best positions, keeping pressure at d4
and e4. The role of the knights is to control the center.
Pawns
You can advance the a-pawn up the board as long as you have
sufficient support from your pieces. The aim of that strategy is to gain
some space.
The b-pawn requires support to advance, and can weaken valuable
squares on the c-file by doing so. Move it only if you can achieve some
concrete strategic goal. For example, if you have a pawn at b5, you can
play your knight to a5 and then c4.
There can be a pawn at c6 if White exchanges knights there. In this
case the pawn should advance to c5 as quickly as possible.
The d-pawn stays in place unless White plays c5, then you capture
and move your knight to d5. In some rare circumstances, you might play
...Ne4 and if White captures, you will use the d-pawn to recapture.
The e-pawn is cemented in place and only your opponent can make
it move. Even if White advances the f-pawn to f5, it is often wise to let
the capture take place at e6. One strategy for Black is to try to attack
the White center with ...f6, but that is very hard to achieve as the a2-g8
becomes very weak. The plan is better in an endgame when you have
a king at d6.
24
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
PANOV STRUCTURES
cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC
{rDw1kgw4} {rDw1w4kD}
{0pDw0p0p} {0pDwgp0p}
{wDnDwDwD} {whnDpDwD}
{DwDnDwDw} {DwDwDwDw}
{wDw)wDbD} {wDw)wDwD}
{DwHwDNDw} {DQHBGPDw}
{P)wDw)P)} {P)wDw)w)}
{$wGQIBDR} {DwIRDwDR}
vllllllllV vllllllllV
Relaxed Panov Fractured Kingside Panov
cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC
{rDw1kgw4} {rDw1kgw4}
{0pDb0p0p} {0pDw0p0p}
{wDwDwhwD} {wDnDbhwD}
{hwDPDwGw} {Dw)pDwGw}
{wDwDwDwD} {wDw)wDwD}
{DPHwDwDw} {DwHwDwDw}
{wDwDw)P)} {P)wDw)P)}
{$wDQIBHR} {$wDQIBHR}
vllllllllV
Gambit Panov
vllllllllV
Advance Panov
25
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
Relaxed Panov
cuuuuuuuuC
{rDw1kgw4}
{0pDw0p0p}
{wDnDwDwD}
{DwDnDwDw}
{wDw)wDbD}
{DwHwDNDw}
{P)wDw)P)}
{$wGQIBDR}
vllllllllV
King
The king belongs safely castled on the kingside. Development is
important, and you should try to move your king to safety. If the knight
leaves c6, then checks on the a4-e8 diagonal can be annoying.
Queen
The queen tends to remain on the d-file, so that after an exchange
of knights at d5, the queen can be used to recapture.
Rooks
The placement of the rooks must await Whites castling decision.
In any case it is useful to have a rook at c8. The other rook can go to
e8 or d8 as needed.
Bishops
The light bishop usually exchanges itself for an enemy knight at
f3, but only when White must recapture with the g-pawn. Otherwise,
if harassed by the h-pawn, it retreats. The other bishop usually goes to
e7, but may come to d6, b4, or capture a piece at c5.
Knights
Knights belong at c6 and d5 in this line. Keeping pressure on the
isolated pawn at d4, and impeding the advance of that pawn, are high
priorities for Black.
26
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
Queen
The queen again stays on the d-file, within sight of e5, but can
sometimes shift to c7 and work on the dark squares.
Rooks
The c-file invites one rook, and the other often goes to e8 so that
White cannot, with the exchange by a trick on the g-file in combination
with a bishop at h6. Often Black can consider sacrificing the exchange
in this case.
Bishop
The bishop needs to be available for defensive duties at f6 or f8,
but if there is not much action on the g-file, can sometimes go to d6 to
work on the f4-square.
Knights
The knights should operate on the queenside, and are a major
component of the attacking force.
27
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
Gambit Panov
cuuuuuuuuC
{rDw1kgw4}
{0pDb0p0p}
{wDwDwhwD}
{hwDPDwGw}
{wDwDwDwD}
{DPHwDwDw}
{wDwDw)P)}
{$wDQIBHR}
vllllllllV
King
The king isnt going anywhere soon! Keeping the king safe is one of
the most important strategic considerations in this line.
Queen
The queen must stay near home to guard the king, but can
sometimes quickly take up an active post at b6.
Rooks
One rook goes to c8. The other has to find some roundabout
method of entering the game. In this illustrative game, it never moves
at all!
Bishops
The bishops will eventually see action on the queenside, but early
in the game their roles are mostly defensive.
Knights
The knights often depart early in the game. Black, a pawn up,
wants to exchange minor pieces whenever possible.
28
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
Advance Panov
cuuuuuuuuC
{rDw1kgw4}
{0pDw0p0p}
{wDnDbhwD}
{Dw)pDwGw}
{wDw)wDwD}
{DwHwDwDw}
{P)wDw)P)}
{$wDQIBHR}
vllllllllV
King
The king would like to seek shelter on the kingside, but in many
lines this is not possible, so a prolonged stay in the center is possible.
Queen
The queen is part of the defensive team here and should not go out
on excursions.
Rooks
The rooks tend to stay in place, unless Black castles.
Bishops
At some point the bishop on e6 will want to relocate, to f5 or g4
in most cases. The other bishop will get into the game after White
exchanges the bishop at g5 for the knight at f6, which is often seen.
Knights
One knight will be used on the queenside, while the other is likely
to be captured at f6. If White fails to capture, the knight can take up
an active post at e4.
29
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
TYPICAL STRATEGIES
AND TACTICS
Queenside Attack
The standard queenside attack can take many forms, but the
underlying idea is always the same. Create some weakness in the
queenside pawn structure, then bring as many pieces as possible into
the attack. Jon Speelman shows the spectacular side of the Caro-Kann
by crashing through the queenside pawn barrier.
30
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
cuuuuuuuuC
{rhwDkDwD}
{DwGwDp0w}
{wDnDpDbD}
{DQDp)wDw}
{wgwDwDPD}
{DwHwDqDw}
{P)PDN)wD}
{DwIRDwDw}
vllllllllV
18...Bxc3!! This is no time to go on the defensive. There is a
tactical refutation to 18...Kd7??; 19.Bxb8 Rxb8 in 20.Qxc6+!! Kxc6
and 21.Nd4+ Kd7; 22.Nxf3. 19.Bxb8 Bxb2+!; 20.Kd2 d4; 21.Bc7 Rxa2;
22.Ke1 Qh1+; 23.Kd2 Bc3+. White resigned.
Minority Attack
Black will often advance the b-pawn in situations where Black has
a-, b-, and d-pawns facing White pawns on all four queenside files. The
idea is to weaken c3, and open up the b-file for use by rooks. In the
following example, Black achieves this goal and uses the queenside
infiltration as part of a kingside attack.
32
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
cuuuuuuuuC
{wiwDwDwD}
{DpDwDp0w}
{pDwDphw0}
{DwDwDrDP}
{wDPDwDwD}
{DwDK)N)w}
{P)wDwDw$}
{DwDwDwDw}
vllllllllV
So the pawn falls anyway! 31.Ke2 Nxh5; 32.Rg2 Nf6; 33.g4 Ra5.
34.g5 generates a little counter play. 34...Ne4; 35.gxh6 gxh6; 36.Rg8+
Ka7; 37.a3 Rf5; 38.Rh8 h5. Now the win is inevitable. 39.b4 Nc3+;
40.Kf2 e5; 41.Kg2 Nd1; 42.e4 Rf4; 43.Nxe5 Ne3+; 44.Kg3 Rxe4;
45.Re8 h4+. White resigned.
Kingside Attack
In this repertoire, the Black king almost always castles on the
kingside. Even in the Classical Variation, which often sees queenside
castling, stay on the home flank. It is obvious that White will attempt
to go after the Black king.
White can often sacrifice to break down Blacks defensive pawn
barrier. Here is a good example of a sacrifice that does not seem to
have much support, at first, but which leads inevitably to victory.
33
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
cuuuuuuuuC
{rDwDw4kD}
{DpDwDp0w}
{w1pDpDb0}
{0wDn)wDN}
{PgwDwDw)}
{DBDwDQDw}
{w)PGw)PD}
{DwIRDwDR}
vllllllllV
18.Nxg7! Kxg7; 19.h5 Bxd2+; 20.Rxd2 Bf5. 20...Bh7; 21.Bxd5
exd5; 22.Qf6+ Kg8; 23.Rh3 will win. 21.g4 Qc7. 21...Bh7; 22.Bxd5
exd5; 23.Qf6+ Kg8; 24.g5! Qd8; 25.Qxh6 and the g-pawn will advance.
22.Re2 Ne7; 23.gxf5 Nxf5; 24.c3 Qe7; 25.Bc2 Qg5+; 26.Kb1 Kh8;
27.Re4 Ne7 28.Rhe1 Rg8; 29.Rf4 Rg7; 30.Rxf7 and White went on to
win.
Another theme is the advance of the g-pawn, which can be
sacrificed to create an open h-file, as in the next example.
34
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
She did win in the end, but would have won much more quickly with
26.fxg5 f5; 27.Rgg1 e4; 28.g6 f4; 29.h6 e3; 30.g7 etc.
Central Breakthrough
Especially when Black has not castled, White will often be able
to break through in the center with a timely advance of the d-pawn
to d5. Even though Black has pawns at e6 and c6, this strategy can be
effective because Black can ill-afford to open the e-file before castling.
35
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.
Excerpted from Complete Defense to King Pawn Openings by Eric Schiller
In this example, Black cannot castle because the rook has moved to g8
to guard the pawn. In general, this is a poor strategy but is sometimes
required when something goes wrong early in the game.
cuuuuuuuuC
{rDwDkDrD}
{0pDnDp0w}
{wDp1pDw0}
{DwDPHwDP}
{wDPDw)wD}
{DwDw!wDw}
{P)wDwDwD}
{DKDRDw$w}
vllllllllV
25.d5! cxd5. 25...Nxe5; 26.fxe5 Qe7; 27.d6 Qh4; 28.Qf3! Rd8;
29.Rg4! Qxh5; 30.d7+. The d-pawn provides all that is needed to win.
Khalifman also refuted 25...Qc5 with 26.Qb3 Qb6. (26...Nxe5; 27.Qxb7
Rd8; 28.dxe6) 27.Qc3! Nxe5; 28.dxe6. 26.Nxd7 Qxd7. 26...Kxd7;
27.cxd5 exd5; 28.Qf3 Kc6 (28...Kc7; 29.Rxd5). 29.Rd4! 27.cxd5
Rd8; 28.f5 e5; 29.Qxe5+ Qe7; 30.Qd4+ Kf8; 31.d6 Qf6; 32.Qc5 b6;
33.Qd5 Rh8; 34.d7 Qh4; 35.Rge1 Kg8; 36.Re8+ Kh7; 37.Qxf7 Rhxe8;
38.Qg6+. Black resigned.
36
Published by Cardoza Publishing. by Eric Schiller. All Rights Reserved.