Caro-Kann: A Complete Chess Opening Repertoire Vs 1.E4

Master the Caro-Kann Defence: Boost Strategies, Tactics, Understand Key Positions & Transform Your Performance vs 1.e4

What you’ll learn
Be able to confidently play the Caro-Kann Defense against 1.e4, avoiding opening traps and gaining a solid pawn structure
Be able to recognize and respond to common attacking ideas and themes in the Caro-Kann, such as the advance, exchange variation and the classical variation
Be able to use tactical ideas and maneuvers to create counterplay and take advantage of weaknesses in the opponent’s position
Be able to develop a deep understanding of the strategic ideas and plans in the Caro-Kann, such as controlling the center and attacking on the wings
Be able to use positional concepts such as pawn structure, piece activity, and the initiative to gain an advantage in the game.
Be able to identify and exploit weaknesses in the opponent’s pawn structure, such as isolated or doubled pawns.
Be able to use the Caro-Kann as a flexible and versatile opening, able to transpose into different variations depending on the opponent’s moves.
Be able to understand and use the ideas behind the exchange variation, the Panov-Botvinnik attack, and other important variations in the Caro-Kann.
Be able to use the Caro-Kann to play actively and aggressively, creating dynamic and complex positions that offer winning chances from a black perspective
Be able to handle complex tactical and strategic situations that arise from the Caro-Kann, including sharp pawn breaks and piece sacrifices.
Be able to play the Caro-Kann confidently against strong opponents, including grandmasters and other experienced players.
Be able to understand the underlying principles of chess strategy and how they apply specifically to the Caro-Kann Defense.
Be able to use the Caro-Kann to create closed and semi-closed positions, favoring the player with superior pawn structure and control of space.
Be able to handle complex pawn structures in the Caro-Kann, including pawn chains, pawn islands, and pawn majorities.
Be able to use the Caro-Kann as a weapon against aggressive and tactical opponents, blunting their attacks and forcing them to play positionally.
Be able to vary your play depending on your opponent’s style and preferences, from aggressive and tactical to solid and positional.
Be able to play with confidence and creativity, and to improvise if necessary.
Be more able to analyze your own games and identify areas for improvement in your Caro-Kann defense play.
Be able to play the sidelines and less common variations of the Caro-Kann defense such as an early c5 against the Advance variation
Be able to play the Caro-Kann defense with confidence in blitz and rapid chess games.
Be able to understand and implement the principles of the Caro-Kann defense in other related openings, such as the French defense and the Slav defense.
Be able to study and learn from the games of top grandmasters who have played the Caro-Kann defense, such as Tigran Petrosian, Anatoly Karpov and Michael Adams
Be able to understand and apply the key endgame principles that arise from the Caro-Kann defense, such as pawn structure and piece coordination.
Be able to use the Caro-Kann defense to transition into favorable middlegame and endgame positions.
Be able to handle complex and tactical positions with greater confidence from seeing key games in this course

Requirements
Know how the chess pieces move

Description
Mastering an opening repertoire is a vital part of any chess player’s strategy. It guides you through the early intricacies of the game, laying the groundwork for the unfolding match. If you seek a robust and reliable opening when playing with the Black pieces, look no further than the Caro-Kann defense.Our course offers an all-inclusive, proven repertoire for handling the complexities of playing Black against 1.e4, with a focus on the Caro-Kann defense. This defense, favored by World Chess Champions like Jose Raul Capablanca, Mikhail Botvinnik, Tigran Petrosian, and Anatoly Karpov, provides a reliable response to 1.e4, allowing for strategic over tactical play.You’ll learn how the Caro-Kann can neutralize aggressive tactical players, mirroring Botvinnik’s success in his 1961 rematch against Mikhail Tal. We delve into why the Caro-Kann often lacks the forcing variations seen in the Sicilian defense, making it easier to learn and ideal for those preferring strategic play.We start with an introduction to the Caro-Kann defense, its history, and the distinctive traits of its various variations. Key focus is placed on the Advance and Exchange Variations, but we also cover the Panov–Botvinnik Attack, the Fantasy Variation, the Two Knights Variation, and other sidelines that you might face.Our course dives into the key concepts, strategic plans, and tactics essential for each variation, alongside addressing the potential pitfalls and strengths. We guide you on mitigating these challenges and maximizing your position’s potential.We provide recommendations for:Main Line: 2.d4 d5 – 3. Nc3 and 3. Nd2Advance Variation: 3. e5Exchange Variation: 3. exd5Panov–Botvinnik Attack: 4. c4Fantasy Variation: 3. f3Two Knights Variation: 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 (or 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3)Early Queen move 2. Qe2Suitable for players ranging from beginners to advanced, this course starts from the basics and progresses to intricate concepts, facilitating learning at your own pace.By the course’s end, you’ll possess a comprehensive, engine-approved opening repertoire against 1.e4, one that’s fun, easy to play, and statistically sound. You’ll confidently navigate the Caro-Kann defense, setting the stage for a successful game.Take the plunge now! Enroll and start your journey to mastering the Caro-Kann defense today!

Overview
Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 How did the Caro-Kann get its name?

Lecture 2 Marcus Kann’s brilliancy game vs Honorary Grandmaster Jacques Mies in 1885

Lecture 3 Horatio Caro’s great win vs Emanuel Lasker’s Brother – Berthold Lasker – 1886

Lecture 4 Why play the Caro-Kann?

Lecture 5 What does it mean to have a “Solid” Opening?

Lecture 6 How are the opening repertoire “Recommended” choices made?

Lecture 7 Why include “Interesting” sections?

Lecture 8 Tools and resources often made use of in this course

Lecture 9 Top 100 Caro-Kann exponents 2023

Section 2: Tartakower Variation 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3/d2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6!

Lecture 10 Introduction to 3…Nf6 with 4…exf6

Lecture 11 Black castles queenside and later c5 break gives Ne5xd3 option- Duda vs Artemiev

Lecture 12 DEBUT game 1908 – Black has nice pressure for e-file tactic – Leonhardt vs Duras

Lecture 13 12 Cs- Beautiful 7th rank based winning tactic – Forgacs vs Duras

Lecture 14 Giving White dynamic f-file could have been dangerous – Asztalos vs Nimzovich

Lecture 15 White’s Queen manages to get trapped with early attack – Bezruchko vs Flohr

Lecture 16 Black’s h pawn used as a battering ram creating tactical issues – Toms vs Navara

Lecture 17 Downsides of f4 weaken key g1-a7 diagonal tactically – Perez vs Alekhine

Lecture 18 Thorn pawn strategy creates dangerous passed pawn possibilities – Real vs Houska

Lecture 19 Very interesting but risky Ne6-g5 plan – Haldorsen vs Artemiev

Lecture 20 Dangerous knight on g5 supports great tactical idea – Tissir vs Artemiev

Lecture 21 11 C’s Black’s mass of pawns create concrete threats – Torre vs Korchnoi

Lecture 22 Establishing piece on d5 after c5 provoked gives great attack – Mieses vs Flohr

Lecture 23 Powerful exchange sacrifice improves King and weakens opponent – Lujan vs Houska

Lecture 24 Black’s pawn mass with f5 creates useful threats – Solomunovic vs Lechtynsky

Lecture 25 Opportunity to create threats vs undoubling pawns important – Kujipers vs Flohr

Lecture 26 16 C’s – Beautiful instructive play on light squares – Tarrasch vs Tartakower

Lecture 27 4 Cs-Dynamic use of backward ‘c’ pawn keeping active pieces – Team vs Capablanca

Lecture 28 17 C’s Unprotected rook proves fatal to combination – Bluemich vs Alekhine

Lecture 29 Remarkably strong attacking dynamics and pressure on Q-side – Player vs Houska

Lecture 30 White’s a-file pressure doesn’t create smooth combination- Sznapik vs Lechtynsky

Lecture 31 8 C’s Interesting imbalances result in better endgame – Grant vs Korchnoi

Lecture 32 Tactical themes revolve around pin and Queen trapping – Kveinys vs Lechtynsky

Lecture 33 Semi-open d-file provides opportunity for endgame probing – Morals vs Lechtynsky

Lecture 34 Interesting opposite side castling game with undermining – Carleton vs Keene

Lecture 35 Powerful exchange sac amplifies dark square weaknesses – Stefansson vs Navara

Lecture 36 K left too long in the center – c5 opens up position – SirJohn vs Kingscrusher

Lecture 37 Technical analysis: Theoretically best just to take d4 pawn – Discussion

Lecture 38 Exchange dark square bishops, centralise and win endgame – Pozun vs Cukrowski

Lecture 39 Aggressive h5 response gives Black very dynamic play – Semenova vs Howell

Lecture 40 Instructive themes for making use of emerging pawn majority – Nozdrin vs Kostin

Lecture 41 Weakness of last move tactical trap relating to c2 to be aware of – Woda vs Berg

Lecture 42 White gets carried away with Q-side play at expense of K safety – Ernst vs Berg

Section 3: Tartakower Variation – 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3/d2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Ng3 h5!

Lecture 43 Very accurate Be4 move leads to major opening blunder – Glass vs Tartakower

Lecture 44 Dark square strategy with Queen and Bishop menacing – Romanovsky vs Flohr

Lecture 45 Crushing Q-side attack facilitated by pressure earlier- TurksteR vs Kingscrusher

Section 4: Tartakower Variation 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3/d2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Ng5 {h6!)

Lecture 46 Very interesting Queen sacrifice for potential upward trend – Westerinen vs Wade

Lecture 47 King brought down the board to be mated – Schmid vs Korchnoi

Section 5: Advance – Botvinnik-Carls Variation vs 3.e5 : Advance 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5!

Lecture 48 Introduction to why this variation avoids weight of theory of Bf5

Lecture 49 Botvinnik name: Exchange sacrifice – Tal vs Botvinnik 1961 World Ch. Rd 4

Lecture 50 Botvinnik: Bishop pair given up but Black solid – Tal vs Botvinnik – 1961 Rd 6

Lecture 51 Botvinnik name: Squeezing the Bishop Pair – Tal vs Botvinnik 1961 World Ch. Rd 8

Lecture 52 Carls name: K safety reduced on Q-side from undermining – Treybal vs Carls

Lecture 53 Introduction to more recently named “Arkell/Khenkin” variation

Lecture 54 Technical intro and discussion: 1.e4 c6 2.d4.d5 3.e5 c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.a3

Lecture 55 Technical intro and discussion 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.dxc5 Nc6

Lecture 56 === 4.dxc5 e6 option – GM Khenkin==== (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.dxc5 e6)

Lecture 57 Very energetic g5-g4 plan to undermine White’s center – Kortenbusch vs Khenkin

Lecture 58 Ba6 serves as Anti-Greek Gift resource – Ojeda vs Khenkin

Lecture 59 Piece sacrifice to make the attack and pins vs opponent K – Volokitin vs Foreest

Lecture 60 Early Nd4 is part of process to win e5 pawn early on – Shuvalova vs Dreev

Lecture 61 Powerful exchange sacrifice gives greater opportunities – Greeff vs Houska

Lecture 62 Dynamic recapture away from center with fxg6 – Risteski vs Tari

Lecture 63 Unsoundly going for f2 pawn but opportunities later – Harsha vs Fedoseev

Lecture 64 Great central pawn mobility after Opening- Kosteniuk vs Khotenashvilli

Lecture 65 Contortions for trying to win the a4 pawn creates bad endgame – Grant vs Gunina

Lecture 66 Black succeeds in dramatically gaining mass of center pawns – Parry vs Arkell

Lecture 67 Risky castling queenside but f6 later gives central mobility – Duda vs Liren

Lecture 68 === 4.dxc5 Nc6 option – GM Keith Arkell==== (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.dxc5 Nc6)

Lecture 69 Really dynamic use of light square bishop without counterpart – Greet vs Arkell

Lecture 70 Holding onto the extra pawn can end up being a pawn down – Lee vs Arkell

Lecture 71 A very dramatic double edged game – rook on 7th unpleasant – McLean vs Arkell

Lecture 72 Getting bishop outside of pawn chain early justified – Haussernot vs Arkell

Lecture 73 Beautiful counterplay generation making use of ‘e’ pawn sac – Antal vs Khenkin

Lecture 74 === 4.c3 29% ==== (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3)

Lecture 75 White’s light squares require care and responsibility – Briem vs Arkell

Lecture 76 === 4.Nf3 11% ==== (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Nf3)

Lecture 77 Healing pawn structure leads to potentially losing endgame – Balogh vs Khenkin

Lecture 78 Queenside counterplay leads to strong attack – Msellek vs Gunina

Lecture 79 === 4.c4 4% ==== (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c4)

Lecture 80 6 Cs- Similarities to Albin counter gambit after d4 – Azerbaev vs Tal

Lecture 81 Double edged game with g-file involvement helping Black – Zhou vs Arkell

Lecture 82 Very smooth slight advantage for black after early b3 played – Lane vs Arkell

Lecture 83 === 4.Ne2 1% ==== (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Ne2)

Lecture 84 See 2.Ne2 section for example games that transpose

Section 6: Exchange Variation 4.Bd3- 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 g6!

Lecture 85 Introduction: Carlsbad Pawn structure

Lecture 86 Why recommend 5…g6? – Sometimes early Bf5 immediately after is okay 🙂

Lecture 87 ====6.Bf4 39%==== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 g6 6.Bf4

Lecture 88 A number of thematic Carlsbad plans made use of – Munkhzul vs Khotenashvili

Lecture 89 Strategic bishop exchange facilitates minority attack – Hasan vs Arkell

Lecture 90 ====6.Nf3 23%==== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 g6 6.Nf3

Lecture 91 Minority attack becomes more important after Queens exchanged – Fabri vs Arkell

Lecture 92 A slightly doubled edged game but Bg3 gave no problems – Reiling vs Arkell

Lecture 93 Doubled pawns provide great compensation and nice endgames – Renner vs Khenkin

Lecture 94 ====6.h3 21 %==== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 g6 6.h3

Lecture 95 Black gradually improves position with controlled little steps – Derylo vs Baum

Lecture 96 Dangerous g-file attack greatly compensates pawn structure – Werner vs Miles

Lecture 97 Sufficient counterplay for doubled pawns offering – Zhaoyang Li vs Dreev

Lecture 98 e5 break powerful but c4 not timed well – Mozgokliuj vs Kingscrusher

Lecture 99 Black occupies the center but there are dxe5 and f4 concerns – Roos vs Khenkin

Section 7: Caro-Kann Fantasy Variation 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 e6!

Lecture 100 Why recommend 3…e6?

Lecture 101 ===4.Nc3 73%=== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 e6 4.Nc3

Lecture 102 Instead of be greedy in opening aim for central pressure – Kamsky vs Dreev

Lecture 103 Giving up both bishops creates easy and effective pawn storm- Catherina vs Girya

Lecture 104 Double edged game transforms into easily winning endgame – Tate vs Arkell

Lecture 105 A doubled edged game after 6…dxe4 instead of 6…Be7 – Wall vs Houska

Lecture 106 Giving up light square bishop could have ended badly – Chebotarev vs Galkin

Lecture 107 Early Ba6 plan very effective and dangerous for White – Alinasab vs Houska

Lecture 108 Undermining pawn chain at exploitable base d4 – Gallagher vs Arkell

Lecture 109 ===4.Be3 10%=== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 e6 4.Be3

Lecture 110 8 Cs- Strategic bishop exchanged coupled with Ne7 very solid – Mitkov vs Dreev

Lecture 111 ===4.e5 4%=== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 e6 4.e5

Lecture 112 Very bad version of the Advance French Defence – Sadikovic vs Radivojevic

Lecture 113 ===4.c4 4%=== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 e6 4.c4

Lecture 114 Dark square pressure with Knight pinned early and c5 – Jovanovic vs Markovic

Lecture 115 ===4.Bd3 2%=== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 e6 4.Bd3

Lecture 116 19C’s – Early defensive f5 becomes attacking pawn later – Tartakower vs Khan

Lecture 117 ===4.c3 2%=== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 e6 4.c3

Lecture 118 Accepting Gambit should have been a smoother ride – Malinovsky vs Moksh

Lecture 119 ===4.Bf4 1%=== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 e6 4.Bf4

Lecture 120 Bishop pair obtained then pawn sac to increase pressure – Wolf vs Tartakower

Section 8: Panov-Botvinnik Attack – 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6!

Lecture 121 Why recommend 5…g6?

Lecture 122 ===6.Nf3 36%=== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Nf3

Lecture 123 Black gets a very favourable Isolated Queen Pawn situation – Stolakis vs Turov

Lecture 124 Knight to c4 plan very effective plan – Pelling vs Keene

Lecture 125 Double edged blitz game – resources of both sides – Dristigheten vs Kingscrusher

Lecture 126 ===6.cxd5 25%=== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 g6 5.Nc3 g6 6.cxd5

Lecture 127 Accepting central isolated pawn gives great piece activity – Hermlin vs Keres

Lecture 128 Tactical shot Na4 leads to Black getting positional advantages – Schultz vs Mile

Lecture 129 5 Cs- Weak looking g4 was asking for punishment later – Bisguier vs Larsen

Lecture 130 Black has nothing to fear after early Queen trade- Ghinda vs Lobron

Lecture 131 Holding extra pawn White starts to go wrong with weakening f3 – Fuchs vs Girya

Lecture 132 ===6.Qb3 21%=== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 g6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Qb3

Lecture 133 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Qb3 Bg7 7.cxd5 O-O

Lecture 134 Even if d5 pawn reinforced, d4 can be the next target – Van Den Bosch vs Euwe

Lecture 135 Bishop pair create great winning opportunities – Martinez vs Arkell

Lecture 136 16 Cs- A remarkable Queen trap issue – Fuchs vs Bronstein

Lecture 137 10 Cs- Punishment for trying to hold onto pawn too hard – Balashov vs Botvinnik

Lecture 138 ===6.Bg5 10%=== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 g6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Bg5

Lecture 139 Superior Bishop vs Knight after Black regains pawn – Sharma vs Arkell

Lecture 140 ===6.c5 3%=== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 g6 5.Nc3 g6 6.c5

Lecture 141 c5 opposed with classic b6 undermining giving great piece play – Hoorn vs Euwe

Lecture 142 ===EARLIER non critical 5.Nf3 8%=== 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 g6 5.Nf3

Lecture 143 9 Cs- Grabbing the light squared bishop gives easy game- Fahrni vs Nimzovich

Section 9: 2.Nf3 Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5!

Lecture 144 Intro- 2.Nf3 at master level usually to enter two knights variation – not exd5

Lecture 145 ===3.exd5 (45%)===

Lecture 146 3 C’s Easy plan of Ne4 and g5 instead of minority attack – Bonnaire vs Dreev

Lecture 147 2 Cs- Strong positional play vs White’s weakened light squares – Rivier vs Flohr

Lecture 148 8 Cs-Minority attack, probing and exploiting weaknesses – Ljuboschiz vs Kasparov

Lecture 149 Creating opposite side castling attacking game with pressure – Yates vs Euwe

Lecture 150 Light square strategy creates pawn on c4 and e5 break – Grob vs Nimzovich

Lecture 151 e5 break facilitated when kicking e5 knight with f6 – Sedlak vs Wojtaszek

Lecture 152 Ne5 with Bxc6 needs great care around e5 knight – Charochkina vs Khotenashvilli

Lecture 153 Instructive attacking chess opening routes to King – Pichot vs Firouzja

Section 10: Two Knights Variation (Fischer Favourite!)- 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3/f3 d5 3.Nf3/c3 Bg4!

Lecture 154 Why 3…Bg4 vs the Two Knights Variation?

Lecture 155 Classic trap with Ne5 Qh5 etc if black not careful (no d4)

Lecture 156 ===4.h3 (77%) === 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3

Lecture 157 15 C’s – Crushing pressure build up against Q-side castled King – Day vs Keene

Lecture 158 5 C’s Simplification out of opening minimises any problems – Djuric vs Anand

Lecture 159 White King left in center leading to great tactic – Marzouk vs Houska

Lecture 160 5 Cs – Volunteering both bishops leads to equality – Klavins vs Petrosian

Lecture 161 Intense dark square pressure with fianchetto bishop – Prandsetter vs Lechtynsky

Lecture 162 45 Cs- Bishop shut in, dark squares dismantled around King – Fischer vs Keres

Lecture 163 2 C’s – Attack potential disappears after casual rook move – Georgiev vs Karpov

Lecture 164 ===4.Be2 (7%) === 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.Be2

Lecture 165 Improved version of French Advance variation has perks – Kasparian vs Petrosian

Lecture 166 Dangers of f4 weakening key diagonal illustrated – Matulevicius vs Kholmov

Lecture 167 ===4.d4 (6%) === 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.d4

Lecture 168 Solid 4…Nf6 but beware of light square bishop missing – Senador vs Rakhmanov

Lecture 169 Avoiding materialism and instead damaging structure – Amer vs Khenkin

Lecture 170 Unsoundly accepting gambit but Bd2 not accurate follow up – Erker vs Adams

Section 11: Accelerated Panov Attack Variation- 1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.exd5 Nf6!

Lecture 171 Introduction to 4…Nf6 vs Accelerated Panov-Botvinnik attack

Lecture 172 ===5.Nc3 58% ==== 1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.exd5 Nf6 5.Nc3

Lecture 173 20 Cs- A magnificent defensive combination for K-safety – Sokolov vs Karpov

Lecture 174 10 Cs- White’s K safety reduced from efforts to hold pawn- Conquest vs Bronstein

Lecture 175 Giving up bishop pair leads to dominating knights vs bishops – Winants vs Adams

Lecture 176 King goes to light square f5 in interesting endgame – Beliavsky vs Ivanchuk

Lecture 177 ===5.Qa4+ 17% ==== 1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.exd5 Nf6 5.Qa4+

Lecture 178 White holds on to material but pieces away from K – Muzychuk vs Danielian

Lecture 179 ===5.Bb5+ 16% ==== 1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.exd5 Nf6 5.Bb5+ Nbd7

Lecture 180 Solid bishop pair advantage and strong g-file attack – Gurevich vs Speelman

Lecture 181 ===5.d4 4% ==== 1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.exd5 Nf6 5.d4

Lecture 182 See Panov-Botvinnik section as 5.d4 transposes

Lecture 183 ===5.Bc4 1% ==== 1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.exd5 Nf6 5.Bc4

Lecture 184 An important trap to be aware of if White too keen on d5- Wolthuis vs Euwe

Lecture 185 Tricky 3…Nf6 possibility (1. e4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. exd5 Nf6 )

Lecture 186 Tricky Opening move order gambit then IQP situation – Dickson vs Houska

Section 12: Breyer variation 1.e4 c6 2.d3 d5 {Breyer} 3.Nd2/Nf3 g6!

Lecture 187 Introduction to Breyer variation and recommendation of g6

Lecture 188 === 4.Ngf3 69% === 1.e4 c6 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 g6 4.Ngf3

Lecture 189 a5 weakens Queenside and Black wins pawn with pressure – Raaste vs Lechtynsky

Lecture 190 White’s lack of development and weaknesses create disaster- Robatsch vs Portisch

Lecture 191 === 4.g3 18% === 1.e4 c6 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 g6 4.g3

Lecture 192 Backward d3 pawn torture leads to sudden Q-side invasion – Visser vs Miles

Lecture 193 3 Cs- Removing fianchetto bishop then opening up King – Larsson vs Adams

Lecture 194 === 4.f4 4% === 1.e4 c6 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 g6 4.f4

Lecture 195 Early f4 dark square weaknesses allow annoying resources – Zhou vs Dreev

Lecture 196 N.B. For 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.d3 see Pichot vs Firouzja game in 2.Nf3 section

Section 13: Rasa-Studier Gambit – 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 Nf6!

Lecture 197 Interesting fun King going up the board for attack – Wuts vs Barczay

Section 14: Von Hennig Gambit – 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Bc4 Nf6!

Lecture 198 Neutralising opponent’s light square bishop with extra pawn – Short vs Bareev

Section 15: Bohemian Attack (2.Ne2) 1.e4 c6 2.Ne2 d5!

Lecture 199 39 Cs-Leave c8 bishop at home instead of facing threats – Bronstein vs Petrosian

Section 16: Hillbilly Attack 1.e4 c6 2.Bc4 d5 3.Bb3 dxe4!

Lecture 200 b3 bishop targeted with a5-a4 plan – Williams vs Jones

Section 17: Goldman Variation – 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Qf3 dxe4! 4.Nxe4 Nd7

Lecture 201 3 Cs- White goes off the rails giving up center pawn – Fernandez vs Arkell

Lecture 202 Very accurate play exploiting dark square weaknesses – Friedgood vs Salamanca

Section 18: GM Aleksei Pridorozhni (AlexSur81) favourite – 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Qe2 d4!

Lecture 203 Interesting pawn sac to keep ambitious ideas – Voitsekhovsky vs Tomashevsky

Lecture 204 Bishop sac to generate dangerous counterplay – Alexsur81 vs Kingscrusher

Section 19: Euwe Attack – 1.e4 c6 2.b3 d5!

Lecture 205 Instructive endgame simplification where bishop has targets – Linton vs Wade

Section 20: Mieses Gambit – 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Be3 dxe4!

Lecture 206 Black hold onto extra pawn for a while – Mieses vs Davidson

Section 21: Interesting 3…dxe4 in Two Knights attack – 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3

Lecture 207 7 Cs- Interesting Bh6 possibility and later nasty pin – Penrose vs Larsen

Section 22: Interesting 3…Bf5- Classical (6.Ne2) – 2.Nc3 dxe4 3.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Ne2

Lecture 208 120 Cs- Handling a dangerous Knight sacrifice keeping safe- Tal vs Botvinnik

Section 23: Interesting 3…Bf5 Classical (no h4) – 2.Nc3 dxe4 3.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3

Lecture 209 73 Cs- Riskily playing for win including exchange sac – Dueckstein vs Petrosian

Section 24: Interesting 3…Bf5 Classical – 2.Nc3/Nd2 dxe4 3.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4

Lecture 210 Weak h4 and c4 pawns makes it easier to blunder – Nievergelt vs Larsen

Lecture 211 15 Cs- Black dares to castle queenside and has Qd5 resource- Firmian vs Korchnoi

Lecture 212 18 Cs- Very interesting Bg8 to make e6 more solid – Porreca vs Bronstein

Section 25: Interesting 3…Bf5 Classical- 2.Nc3 and 2.Nd2 dxe4 3.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Bc4

Lecture 213 2 Cs-h4 liability soon after the opening amplified with Bxf6 – Tiviakov vs Dreev

Section 26: Interesting 6..e6 Maroczy – 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.f4 e6

Lecture 214 16 Cs- Simplification to endgame exposes weak pawns- Marshall vs Capablanca

Section 27: Interesting 4…Nd7 Modern variation- 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3/d2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7

Lecture 215 A fun trap to be aware of to win a piece – Osoblivy vs Danielian

Lecture 216 Nd7 starts to prove weaknesses in White’s camp after h4 – Lalic vs Arkell

Lecture 217 73 C’s – Iconic move to help improve King safety – Kamsky vs Karpov

Section 28: Interesting 5..gxf6: Bronstein 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6 gxf6

Lecture 218 14 Cs- Too much chaos and counterplay for Karpov to control – Karpov vs Miles

Lecture 219 148 Cs- Dynamic play with thorn pawn and g-file pressure – Bakulin vs Bronstein

Lecture 220 16 C’s – Intense struggle with repeat exchange sacs – Kavalek vs Bronstein

Section 29: Interesting 3…Bf5: Caro-Kann Advance Mainline- 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5

Lecture 221 368 Cs- ICONIC Game – positional masterpieces – Nimzovich vs Capablanca

Lecture 222 Bd7 retreat avoids e6 and supports strategic bishop exchange – Kamsky vs Adams

Section 30: Interesting: 4.Nc6 (then Nf6) vs Exchange 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6

Lecture 223 Many exponents including Bronstein, Riazantsev, Danielian, Gunina, Galkin

Lecture 224 59 Cs – Practical choices for g-file pressure – Maroczy vs Capablanca

Section 31: Interesting 5…Not g6- Panov 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.(not g6)

Lecture 225 63 Cs- Adventure to win a rook badly backfires – Nimzowitsch vs Alekhine

Lecture 226 51 Cs- Playing effectively against the Isolated Queen Pawn- Botvinnik vs Euwe

Lecture 227 150 Cs – Iconic instructive play vs Isolated Queen’s pawn – Kamsky vs Karpov

Section 32: Interesting 3…d6 Accelerated Panov Attack – 1.e4 c6 2.c4 e5 3.d4 d6

Lecture 228 19 Cs- Passive d6 worked in end but not due to the Opening – Alapin vs Nimzovich

Section 33: Interesting dxe4 and 4…Nf6 vs Goldman 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Qf3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6

Lecture 229 Accepting doubled pawns to maintain Ne5 threat – Roy vs Riazantsev

Section 34: Interesting 4…exf3 vs Rasa-Studier Gambit – 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3

Lecture 230 Accepting the gambit then castling Q-side – Thenhausen vs Meduna

Section 35: PGN Downloads

Lecture 231 PGN Downloads of games made use of in this course

Section 36: Conclusions and Philosophical points

Lecture 232 Conclusions and Philosophical points

Section 37: Bonus

Lecture 233 Bonus Lecture

Beginner to Intermediate chess players