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Jan '00 Update

Firstly, many thanks for your emails. I do appreciate your remarks and recommendations.

Special thanks to Gabriel Blasberg, an experienced correspondence player, for his theoretically important games that he sent over in the Bronstein-Larsen variation of the Caro-Kann.

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Center Counter

Caro-Kann

Pirc

Center Counter

Of course, in playing 3 Nc3 in reply to 2...Nf6 White can hardly obtain an opening advantage and the whole line is considered quite harmless for Black. However it has occurred a few times at the top level. Even Paul Keres tried it once - and with great success! See AV123 for a summary of this variation.

AV130 Twice within a month the World no.14 had to face the Center Counter, scoring only half a point in the 2 games! Even more surprisingly, both times his opponents followed the game Anand - Lautier which was disastrous for Black, and both times Fedorov deviates from Anand's method!

AV129 In 1999 the move 3...Qd6 became rather popular in tournament practice, but I doubt it's really good enough. This game shows White exploiting the unsafe position of Black's Queen very energetically.

AV131 A very instructive game for understanding Black's attacking resources in the Center Counter Gambit.

AV132 In my opinion this line is promising for White. Although Black managed to hold the position White missed some attractive possibilities.

AV133 An important novelty by White in a line which before this game was considered to be harmless.

AV134 Another game proving that White has all sorts of possibilities to try for an opening advantage against 2...Nf6. Now it's Black's turn to find improvements. Definitely plenty of room for further debate...

Center Counter

Caro-Kann

Pirc

Caro-Kann

AV124 In the Advance variation White has tried continuations other than 5 g4, but they are not seen as threatening since Black has no development problems, weaknesses or bad pieces. This game is a masterpiece and provides a model example for Black.

AV126 The fianchetto system is one of the most unpleasant lines for Black in the Bronstein - Larsen Variation. However, here we see inaccurate play by White enabling Black to solve his opening problems very easily.

AV127 White's play is a bit more incisive here. however, he soon finds himself in the unpleasant situation of being a queen for one minor piece up but struggling to find equality!!

AV128 This line looks playable for Black. It's a bit early to draw final conclusions here because only a few games have been played, but it's definitely worthy of thorough examination and practical tests.

Center Counter

Caro-Kann

Pirc

Pirc

AV122 shows an undeniably tricky line for Black to meet, but, as the course of this game illustrates, if he knows his stuff then there`s no need to worry.

AV125 An exciting encounter in the 4 Bg5 Byrne variation by two of its leading experts. In my opinion this is Black's best choice in the Byrne variation, where Black can have high hopes of fighting for the initiative.

Center Counter

Caro-Kann

Pirc