Download PGN of November '11 1 e4 ... games
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Caro-Kann Defence Advance - Short Variation 3...Bf5 4 Nf3 [B12]
The Caro Kann has undoubtedly become one of the most played openings and especially the Advanced line with 3.e5. Everything in high level games is about these lines, White is desperately looking for an advantage while Black is trying to neutralize any potential danger. Results are mixed and the popularity will not wane just yet.
In the first 3 games we see 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Ne7:
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In game one, Gashimov - Grischuk, Black equalized comfortably while in game two, Grishuk - Laznicka, White (who plays this as Black, of course) played 6.Nbd2 before castling, an interesting finesse, and then played the natural novelty 11.Be3!?:
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However, Black reached a completely level pawn endgame before blundering.
In Shirov - Solak White played the unusual 7.b3, intending c4:
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And won smoothly.
In game four, Giri - Wojtaszek, we see 5..c5, White going on to trade rook and pawn for two minor pieces, but despite pushing in the endgame he was unable to avoid a draw.
Caro-Kann Defence Advance - 3...Bf5 4 h4 [B12]
Game five between Lenic and Solak gives as another chance to look at the sharp line 4.h4 h5 5.c4 e6 6.Nc3 Ne7:
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White now playing the most popular move, 7.Bg5.
Caro-Kann Defence Advance - 3...c5 [B12]
Finally, for the first time I've included a game with 3...c5, which I used to play myself with Black, it's the game Inarkiev - Arutinian, where White tried the interesting 6.Nd2!?:|
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and won convincingly.
Pirc Defence - Austrian Attack 5...0-0 6.Bd3 Na6 [B09]
Game seven, Seirawan - Peralta, is yet another mainline Austrian attack with Seirawan showing just how dangerous this system is for Black:
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White soon had a crushing advantage.
Scandinavian Defence 3...Qa5 [B01]
Game eight features one of the main systems in the 2...Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 Scandinavian with Black playing the interesting novelty 11...Be7!?:
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This allows Bg5xe7 forcing the king to recapture, although in Howell - Papaioannou White refrained from this and was soon worse.
Till next month, Milos.
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