Anand - Adams Play the Caro-Kann of the Queen’s Gambit: Transpositions Illustrated

The opening of a chess game resembles three card Monte or the shell game. The vital difference is that in chess both players see the same things and they both handle the game pieces. After each player moves, the opponent gains information. The subsequent moves are still to be seen. A move may suggest an opening, but another may be the result. The players often demonstrate incongruence of knowledge and style. The following game is presented to show transpositional possibilities in the opening. Transpositions among about a dozen openings will be shown. In some cases, the avoidance of openings will be noted. The opening is the Panov-Botvinnik Attack of the Caro-Kann Defense, yet Chessbase labels it D42 which is the Semi-Tarrasch. Those openings are transpositionally connected and, as in this game, often result in a white isolated queen pawn. Studying an opening requires going beyond the names and acquiring familiarity with themes.

The players are Viswanathan Anand and Michael Adams. Their contest took place when they were much younger and serves the purpose of examining the opening. The game is complete and annotated without reaching an ending. Anand was born December 11, 1969 and is the present world champion. Adams was born November 17, 1971 and has been a candidate four times.