Gurgenidze System of the Caro-Kann

I was looking at the variations of the Caro-Kann and I spotted this line. What are the main ideas behind this line. It appears to be very interesting opening.

Sorry, I don't know what I did wrong but the game didn't show up.

It is a good example of what can happen nevertheless, lol.

Thank you Splane and Conzipe. I am very interested in this system as I have played two club matches with it, Im currently 157 ecf, and had good results but I did not know that it was actually a system. Do you know if there are any good books/dvds on this particular variation?

Regards

Nalin

I never heard about this opening until a few days ago. I think it's a intresting opening.

A nice video by FM Grant Szuveges on the Gurgenidze is available here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r07qvSgTOQ8&list=PLSClIVKbmGUcMqFQVICgYPuO_a7DtDkWy&index=2

conzipe, after 4 Nf3 and 5 h3, I think black should go for the plan Nh6 followed by f6 and Nf7

2 questions since you are a CM:

1. Doesn't 4.h3 come first?  4.Nf3 allows 4...Bg4
2. Is what you suggest (...Nh6, ...f6 and ...Nf7) slow due to plans by White including Bf4 and Nb5

I'm considering the Gurgenidze but the numbers for White after 4.h3 are dissuading me.  In which case, I don't understand why 3.Nd2 avoiding the Gurgenidze is even necessary

Thanks for your thoughts and the games I did read it all.  I'm just in a thematic tourney and have to play the Black side of the CK which I never do, I'm a 1...e5 player

You should play c6 earlier so no Nb5. Nh6, f6 and Nf7 sets up a really strong fortress and is the standard Gurgenidze setup (although the simple e6 and Ne7 in some variations works just as well). Even though the process looks slow the resulting position is dynamic and rather thematic. The h5 (Be7 followed by Kf8-Kg7) line should really only ever be played if White has pawns on f4, e5 and d4, however it's still playable without f4 just not as effective. H3 shouldn't put you off, it's a slow move from White and Black has concrete positional aims. 

There are a few difficult lines white can play. As black mostly you have to count on your opponent being unprepared. I play it sometimes as a surprise weapon vs lower rated players OTB. It tends to be a solid position with clear strategic goals which is something I like.

If the game starts out 1.e4 g6 2.d4 c6 3.c4 d5 4.e5 Bg7 5.Nc3 though, then as black vs a prepared opponent you'll be in some trouble... the question is how to develop. The c8 and b8 pieces aren't ready, and playing 5...e6 is too passive. That just leaves 5...Nh6 but after Bf4 and Qd2 it can become trapped if black isn't careful, and white is developing with tempo.

I've never seen someone play this though. Usually it's some naive setup like d4 e4 Nc3 Nf3 as the first 4 moves (which is actually fine for white). Or they play an early e5 (which is also fine, but IMO makes black very comfortable so is not recommended).

Oh, also one guy surprised me after 1.e4 c6 he played 2.f4

I'd never seen this before. Luckily I knew the gurg variation of the caro

So if you're a caro player, it may be worth at least looking into those lines.

Also h4 can be very tricky to meet and can potentially blow Black out of the water illustrated well in this game: https://www.chess.com/games/view/13857589

The important thing to remember there is to take back with the f pawn after the inevitable hxg6, not the h pawn. 

Oh yeah, good one to mention, the h pawn push is very scary you're right.

It also transposes quite easily so one would need to be very familiar with lines from the Panov Attack and Modern Defence. But if you know about those already or happy to learn about them then it’s a very viable option and also a good surprise weapon as it’s not that often seen in tournament play. 

Never heard before. Got lucky when I played it by accident.

I won of course. play it if you want to, I cant predict the future like professor trelawney.