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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c6/2. d4/2...d5/3. exd5/3...cxd5

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Caro-Kann Exchange Variation
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5
Parent: Caro-Kann

Caro-Kann Defence: Exchange Variation

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Main line: 4. Bd3

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The main line begins with 4. Bd3 (to prevent ...Bf5 while still developing) 4...Nc6 5. c3 Nf6 6. Bf4 Bg4 7. Qb3. This line was once considered harmless before being used by Bobby Fischer to defeat Tigran Petrosian in 1970. The pawn structure resembles a Carlsbad structure with reversed colours, so some of the strategic ideas are analogous to the Queen's Gambit Declined, Exchange Variation (1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 exd5).

c4. Panov-Botvinnik Attack

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The Panov-Botvinnik attack is a sharp alternative for white, with white often accepting long-term weaknesses for a strong direct attack.

Note that 4. Nc3?! would be a poor move due to the fact that the knight doesn't do much. e4 is poison, while e6 will turn d5 into a rock. Therefore, c4 followed by Nc3 is far better since then, there would be pressure on d5.

Theory table

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1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5

4 5 6 7
c4
Bd3
Nc6
c3
Nf6
Bf4
Bg4
Qb3 +/=
Nf3
c3
Bf4
Nc3

References

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  • Nunns Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.
  • Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. 1999. Nick de Firmian, Walter Korn. ISBN 0-8129-3084-3.
  • Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.


v · t · e
Chess Opening Theory
1. e4 e5
Open games
3. Bb5
Spanish
3. Bc4
Italian
3. Nc3
Three knights
Other
2...Nf6
Russian
2...d6
Philidor
Other
2. f4
King's gambit
2. Nc3
Vienna
Other
1. e4 c5
Sicilian
1. e4 e6
French
1. e4 c6
Caro-Kann
1. e4 other
1. d4 d5
Closed games
1. d4 Nf6
Indian
1. d4 f5
Dutch
1. d4 ...other:
1. Nf3
Zukertort
Flank
Unorthodox