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Hello guys. This month we only have games in the Caro-Kann, and we will be spoiled with some really spectacular moves. We will see many attacking games, combinations and long sequences of perfect play. In general, most of the main lines are represented and players were usually following theoretical lines. I think White mainly goes for 3 e5 recently because otherwise almost everyone just goes for the line with 4...Nf6 where Black can play the first 10-15 moves fast and get a decent position.
In the first game Black decided to try something new and took a pawn which proved to be poisoned and it was a joy to watch what happened next, pure 19th century vibes.

Download PGN of December ’25 1 e4 ... games

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Caro-Kann, Two Knights 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be2 [B11]

Bogdanov, A Jimenez, F was a Caro-Kann, Two Knights Variation. Very soon Black went 7...Qb6:

it was almost a new position and soon after Black decided to grab a pawn with 8....Qxd4 and the game become very sharp. White quickly developed and started to prepare an attack on the black king in the centre. Later he found a brilliant series of tactics starting with 17.Rxe7. This was followed by around 15 checks and finally the Black king was mated. A great attacking game!


Caro-Kann, Fantasy Variation- 3.f3 Qb6 4.Nc3 dxe4 5.Bc4 [B12]

Vachier Lagrave, M - Erdogmus, Y was in the Fantasy Variation and Black went for the 3...Qb6 line:

Despite the fact that White wanted to get a sharp line Black managed to develop well and get a comfortable position. Later he played 19...Rxd2 which led to a lot of trades and an equal endgame and soon the draw was agreed.


Caro-Kann Advance 4.Bd3 Bxd3 5.Qxd3 e6 6.c3 [B12]

On to the Advanced Variation of the Caro-Kann with 4.Bd3:

The game Boruchovsky, A - Fedoseev, V started quietly as it was a kind of French but where Black traded his 'bad' bishop. It was around equal until White started to push his pawns on the kingside, Black could not find a defense and lost material and later White won in the endgame.


Caro-Kann Advance, Short Variation 5...c5 6.Be3 Qb6 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.Na4 [B12]

Nazari, A - Deuer, M was in the Short Variation. Black went for a very sharp line where he sacrificed a bishop with 10...Bxb4:

The game followed the main lines and later reached a very complicated position with mutual chances. At some point White made a mistake, allowing Black to push his pawn by 24....c3 and then Black managed to get a big advantage and won the game.


Caro-Kann Advance, Short Variation 5...c5 6.Be3 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Ne7 8.Nd2 [B12]

Dominguez, L - Ghasi, A was also in the Short Variation of the Caro-Kann but this time Black went for the system with 6...cxd4. The players followed the main lines and White went for a new idea with 15.Bd3:

Black played a bit passively and White got a better endgame where he nicely managed to get a passed pawn and win the game.


Caro-Kann, Advance 3...c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.Nf3 Bxc5 6.a3 Nd7 7.c4 [B12]

Smirin, I - Rosen, E was another Advance Variation of the Caro-Kann, but this time with 3...c5:

White decided to go for a calm variation but Black delayed castling which gave White some attacking chances. White went for it and offered a piece for the attack. Black could defend but he missed some nice tactics. White played the last 10—15 moves just brilliantly and managed to win in spectacular style even with very few pieces left at the end.


Modern/Caro hybrid 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.f4 d5 5.e5 Nh6 [B15]

Bosiocis, M - Arnaudov, P was in between a Modern and a Caro-Kann and White went for the line with 4.f4. The game followed one of the main lines and Black decided to go active with 11...c5:

Now White opened the game with 12.c4 and got the initiative. White soon won a pawn but Black managed to get good compensation. Later the game was very sharp and ended with a stunning queen sacrifice where Black made a nice perpetual check.


Korchnoi Variation 5...exf6 6.c3 Bd6 7.Bd3 0-0 8.Qc2 Re8+ 9.Ne2 h5 10.Be3 [B15]

Finally, Sokolovsky, Y - Anand, V was in the Caro-Kann Korchnoi Variation. The game followed one of the trendy lines with 9...h5 but then Anand decided to go for the rare 11...c5:

White managed to find a nice idea and was better, but later he went for some faulty tactics where Black found a nice combination and won.


I wish you nice holidays and see you next year! Marian

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