Against the Caro-Kann

• At a glance

  Against the Caro-Kann

  37 games, 78.4%: against 1…c6, Nemsko pushes 3.e5 and takes space. Against 3…c5, he takes the pawn; against 3…Bf5, he launches the h-pawn.

  17 cards, one idea each. Swipe to move on.

• The big idea

  Your games: 36× · you score 78%

  Against the Caro-Kann, Nemsko plays the Advance Variation: 3.e5 in 35 games of this family. The e5 pawn takes space on the kingside and takes f6 away from the black knight.

• The big idea

  Your games: 22× · you score 77%

  Black has two answers: 3…c5, which hits the chain right away, or 3…Bf5, which develops the bishop before …e6.

• The big idea

  Your games: 22× · you score 77%

  Against 3…c5, Nemsko takes: 4.dxc5. He gives up the d4 pawn that supported e5, but gains time against the c-pawn and keeps the c5 pawn as long as possible.

• The big idea

  Your games: 10× · you score 70%

  Against 3…Bf5, he plays 4.h4 and chases the bishop with pawns.

• The big idea

  Your games: 12× · you score 83%

  37 games, 78.4%. Only one recurring move stands out in the dossier: 8.Bd4 in the 3…c5 4.dxc5 e6 line.

• The big idea

  Your games: 12× · you score 83%

  Stockfish ranks it among its top three choices, but prefers 8.b4, which keeps the c5 pawn. The course shows both ideas.

• Principle

  Space with 3.e5

  Your games: 36× · you score 78%

  The e5 pawn takes f6 away from the black knight and cuts the f8 bishop's diagonal toward the kingside. White plays with more space.

• Principle

  Taking on c5

  Your games: 20× · you score 75%

  Against 3…c5, 4.dxc5 takes the pawn. The f8 bishop will have to spend a tempo to win it back, and White tries to hold it with Be3 and b4.

• Principle

  The Bb5 pin

  Your games: 7× · you score 100%

  Bb5 pins the d7 or c6 knight. Black struggles to recapture on c5, and Bxd7+ or Bxc6+ trades off a defender.

• Principle

  The h-pawn against the f5 bishop

  Your games: 10× · you score 70%

  Against 3…Bf5, 4.h4 threatens h5 and forces Black to react. After …h5, g5 is a strong square for the c1 bishop.

• Imbalance

  The unsupported e5 pawn

  Your games: 12× · you score 83%

  After 4.dxc5, the e5 pawn no longer has a d4 pawn behind it. Pieces hold it: the f3 knight and, sometimes, the d4 bishop.

• Imbalance

  The extra c5 pawn

  Your games: 12× · you score 83%

  As long as White keeps the c5 pawn, White is a pawn up. In return, Black has development and the d4 square.

• Imbalance

  The light-squared bishop

  Your games: 6× · you score 83%

  In the 3…Bf5 line, Black develops the good bishop before …e6. Bd3 offers to trade it, and the white queen lands on d3.

• The trade-off

  What you gain

  • Space on the kingside from move three.
  • Against 3…c5, an extra pawn as long as c5 holds.
  • Against 3…Bf5, the h-pawn seizes the initiative.
• The trade-off

  What you give up

  • After 4.dxc5, the e5 pawn has no pawn left to support it.
  • Black often wins back the c5 pawn by developing quickly.
  • Against 3…c5 4.dxc5 Nc6, 5 games for 40%: the line is less clear-cut.
• That's all

  Your turn

  These ideas only stick once you play the moves. The chapters make you find the right ones.

  Start chapter 1

Card 1 of 17: Against the Caro-Kann

Use the left and right arrow keys to change cards.