THE CARO-KANN (BOTVINNIK-CARLS)
As an intermediate player, I have reached that point in the game where study has become essential to further development. This is to say that I have reached the level of my incompetence. If I am now to increase my Elo, I will have to spend more time on theory. Given that you are reading this, there is a good chance you are at the same point in your own chess career.
In a previous post, I said that I had limited my opening repertoire to e4 as white (King's Pawn Opening), and as black the Caro-Kann in response to e4 and in response to d4 something approximating the Semi-Slav (1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6). Here I would like to think a little more about the Caro-Kann.
The Botvinnik-Carls Defence in the Advance Variation
The Botvinnik-Carls Defence deviates from classical or 'mainline' theory early, offering white a pawn on c5 with a view to gaining for black a strong centre.
This position is not one that will be too familiar to other intermediate players and offers black a slightly stronger centre than white with a clear path to domination of the centre when the white pawn on e5 is taken. The knight on g8 wants to get to f5 via e7 where it can control a significant area on the king's side of the centre.
This should make the opening a little easier than playing the classical line. Advanced players appear to be of the opinion, which I think is correct, that most intermediate players will struggle with this centre theory in the Caro-Kann. What I will have to remember is that this would be a game with intense positions in the middle of the board.
