Advanced Ideas in the Advance Caro-Kann

The Advance Caro-Kann is a great opening for players of all ratings, and it was one of the first openings I learned as black when I first started to play chess. There is an interesting idea in this opening that I discovered recently and would like to cover in today's blog.

Here is the starting position of the advance Caro-Kann, and today we will be covering the Tal Variation with 3... Bf5 and 4. h4. The point of h4 is to threaten to trap Black's bishop with g4, so a common move for Black here is 4... h6. It seems that the point is to allow the bishop to retreat back to h7 after being attacked with 5. g4, but the most common move after that is actually Bd7, and going to h7 can get Black in some trouble.

In the position below, there is a tricky move that hinders Black's development and creates massive kingside weaknesses. According to chess.com's opening database, White wins two-thirds of games after this move. Can you find it?

If you found 6. e6!, great job! This move gives up a full pawn in exchange for lots of compensation. It's difficult for Black to get any of their pieces out and after 6. ...fxe6, Black's pawn center is immobilized and easily exploited. White gets rapid and easy development, much more space, and a kingside attack is brewing. In addition, the e6 pawn is extremely weak and can be attacked easily, and Black has many light-squared weaknesses near the king after 7. Bd3, trading bishops. This e6 idea is a good one to be aware of and can present itself not just in the Caro-Kann, but in other openings such as the King's Indian.

I hope you enjoyed my blog and that you learned something new. It's my first blog ever so feedback is welcome. Have a nice day!