GM Caruana vs GM l’ami Tata Steel 2013

1. 1.     e4 c6 2. D4 d5

After these moves,  black is playing the Caro Kann defence.  The caro kann is an orthodox response to e4, which leads to SEMI-OPEN games.

Usually if black can reach equality after white throws everything at him, black normally has the edge in the endgame due to structure.

Up to this move. White has many responses.  Uusally, Nd2, Nc3, e5, and exd5 are played.  Although, responses such as Bd3, f3, and other rare lines are played here by white.

In the game between these two grandmasters, the move 3.e5 was played.  This is the advanced variation of the caro-kann.

1. 3.     E5 Bf5

This variation of the caro-kann involves a lot of theory, also, less popular, but popular, is the response 3 (..c5),  where if white accepts, black has strong chances of regaining the pawn.

After this move, white has many options on how to respond.

White can respond here with Nc3, g4, Nf3, Bd3, c3, a3, Nbd2, h4, f4..whites options are vast for logical moves here..

White chooses the sideline 4. (h4!?)

4 H4 h6!?

A motif in the caro kann is to reply to h4 with h6 in the classical variation.  But, in the advanced, h4 is met with h5 almost automatically.  The reason being in this variation is space.  Black doesn’t want white to get more space advantage.  H6, can allow h5.

Play may continue like this  1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. h4 h5 5. c4 e6 6. Nc3

Black needs to be careful for tricks involves with h4.. e6 is usually played sometime within the caro kann..if white replies e6 to h4, the light squared bishop is gone for black.

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. h4 e6 5. g4 Bg6 6. h5 Be4 7.f3 +2.5

1. 5.     g4 (gaining space) Bd7

Note: Not 5(..Bh7) 6. E6! Causes structural problems.

Play could lead to something looking something like this …

1. 1.     e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. h4 h6 5. g4 Bh7 6. e6 fxe6 7. Bd3 Nf6 8. Bxh7 Rxh7 9. Qd3

Look at blacks dark squared bishop.

1. 6.     H5 (Preventing h5, gaining space. E6

Preparing for more support towards the c5 breakthrough theme in caro kann set ups

1. 7.     F4 Building strength in the center, gaining space in a closed position. C5
2. 8.     C3 Qb6 (French type of response, pressure on d4 and b2, which is seen in advanced variation French set ups)
3. 9.     Nf3 Developing the knight Bb5

Feeling like whites light squared bishop is stronger, black forces a trade of the bishops

1. 10.  Bxb5 Qxb5
2. 11.  Na3 Developing while gaining a tempo. Qb6
3. 12.  Qa4+

The plan for white in this situation is not so obvious at first, but this move has meaning.  White wants to trade off queens here, although not forced.  Generally, in the caro kann, black is favored in the endgame due to structure..  Due to h6, allowing white more space, this structure favors white in the endgame.  The space advantage on the kingside, is a huge factor.

12    ..Nc6  13. Nc2 cxd4 14. Cxd4 ..strengthening center and establishing space advantage..

Note, a knight taking looks very strong for the outpost..but allowing Bc5 could annoy white.

14    ..Qa5+  15. Qxa5 Nxa5 16. Ke2

In this set up, the king on d3, one spot away from Ke2, is a safe spot, and strong spot for the king, for the upcoming endgame.

16    ..Ne7 17. B3

Anticipating and prophylactic.  White prevents the knight from the c4 outpost and gives the dark squared bishop more room.

17    ..Rc8 18. Kd3 The safe square for the king.

18 ..Nac6  19 . Bd2

Diagram after 20. Bd2

19    ..Rc7 20. Nh4 more support for a potential f5 thrust later.

20    …Nc8  21.f5 a5 

This move is an active defensive move, creating counterplay, but leaves the b5 square weak.

22. Raf1  Taking control of the f file, and preparing more support for the f pawn..

Note: white can occupy with the knight a strong square on g6 if the pawn on f7 isnt there..

22    ..Rag8  prophylactic of a future Ng6..

23. Rh2 White is in no rush, and with dominant space advantage, while black is almost helpless with counterplay.

23 ..f6 Black tries to create counter play out of desperation

24. exf6 (preventing the taking of the e pawn, 24 ..gxf6

25. Nce3

A multi purpose move

-White attacks the d5 square, putting pressure on it

– White protects the g4 pawn

-More support for the f5 pawn

-Knight is more active

25 ..e5

26. Nxd5 Rf7

27. Ng6 White offers to give the pawn back, but limits counter play..

White has a strong knight (knights are very strong on the 6^th rank!)

27 ..Nxd4 28.Be3

Note, white can take the pawn on the a file, which is definitely a playable line, but does this move to prevent counter play..due to the positional/special domination, limiting risks…

28 ..Nc6  29.Ke2 ..preparing for the new, safer square for the king, f3.

This prophylactically prevents any Nd6, e4 combinational threats against the king in the near future.

29 ..Bg7  30. Kf3 Rd7

31. Rd2  Rgd8

32. Kf2, getting away from any e4 threats and any Nd4 check threats

32 ..Ke8  33. Ke1 (safe spot) Nd4

34.Bxd4 Rxd5 35. Bc3 Rxb2

36. Bxb2 b6 37. Rc1 Kd7

White has the better end game

–        White has a stronger bishop

–        White has more space

–        White has strong control over the c file

38. Be3 Whites bishop occupies more territory

Black pieces have limited mobility…The black bishop on g7 is overloaded with defending and is locked in a bad position…The knight is stuck defending b6… So blacks options are pretty much moving the king or the rook

38 ..Re8

39. Ke2 Kd6 40. Kd3 Kd7

41. Rc3 Note: the tempting e4 for black eventually will run into dark squared weaknesses..note the e5 no longer has a pawn there if that happens.. The e4, does not help his bishop, because f6 is blocking it.

41. ..Bf8 42. Ke4

Taking the bishop would be a mistake.. the rook would take, the pawn would be taken on h6, but Rg8 threatens the g4 pawn and RC4 is met with Nd6

42 …Bb4 43. Rc2 Nd6+

44. Kd5 Nb5 45. Bxh6 Nc3+

46. Rxc3 Bxc3

47. Be3  Note: the passed pawn on the h file looks deadly Bd4

48. Bxd4 exd4 49. Kxd4 Kc6

50. h6 pushing the passed pawn Rd8+

51. Ke4 Rd7

52. g5 Endgame pattern known as a ‘breakthrough’ Note black cannot take due to the fork with the knight.

Black resigns here… the pawns on the kingside prove to be too strong, with the knights support, vs the rook.

Ending position 1-0