[Event "The Caro Kann Defence: Complete Repertoire: Chapter #9: - Classical Variation - Bronstein-Larsen Variation"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/MBQ3N0F8/CK8SkMJd"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Chapter #9:"]
[Black "Classical Variation - Bronstein-Larsen Variation"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Shreksify"]
[ECO "B16"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Bronstein-Larsen Variation"]
[UTCDate "2022.11.09"]
[UTCTime "07:18:10"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 { [%csl Ge4][%cal Ge2e4] } 1... c6 { [%csl Gc6][%cal Gc7c6] } 2. d4 { [%csl Gd4][%cal Gd2d4] } 2... d5 { [%cal Gd7d5] } 3. Nc3 { This is the classical way of playing the Caro Kann, you see the classical
way of playing the Caro Kann is quite simple and flexible for white. White
gets easy development and flexible position. White's set up is quite universal since this is often seen aswell against the Sicilian Defence and of
course the Philidor's Defence. Even at the French Defence this is also seen. [%csl Gc3][%cal Gb1c3] } 3... dxe4 { The best way to play against the Classical Caro Kann is to take the pawn
on e4. Other lines also include the move g6 and e6 in which is pretty hard
to play. g6 transposes into a Modern Defence and e6 blocks the LSB. [%csl Ge4][%cal Gd5e4] } 4. Nxe4 { [%csl Ge4][%cal Gc3e4] } 4... Nf6 { [%csl Gf6][%cal Gg8f6] } 5. Nxf6+ { [%csl Gf6][%cal Ge4f6] } 5... gxf6 { The Bronstein-Larsen Variation is the most aggressive way to play against
the Classical Caro Kann. First and formost black weakens his kingside and
voluntarily makes a double pawn but in exchange of a dangerous attack on the kingside. The g file is open and further play would be met on the kingside
or on the center. [%csl Gf6][%cal Gg7f6] } 6. c3 { The main line in here is c3 in which of course supports the d pawn. [%csl Gc3][%cal Gc2c3] } 6... Qd5 { Qd5 is the main move that is often played in here. Well the idea behind
Qd5 really depends on white's choices of play. In particular with the help
of Qd5 black can easily shift his queen to h5 or even g5 in case of an attack on the kingside. In case of c4!? Well Qa5+! [%csl Gd5,Rc4,Rf3][%cal Gd8d5,Rc3c4,Rg1f3] } 7. Nf3 { [%csl Gf3][%cal Gg1f3] } ( 7. c4 Qd6 8. Be3 Bf5 9. Nf3 Rg8 10. g3 Qb4+ 11. Qd2 Na6 12. Be2 O-O-O ) 7... Rg8 { Rg8 is the main idea in the Bronstein-Larsen Variation. Of course Rg8
creates chaos and potential attack on the kingside. Black's queen could
easily be shifted to h5 or g5. Attack with h5! Is even possible. [%csl Gf3,Gg8,Re3,Rg3][%cal Gh8g8,Rc1e3,Rg2g3] } 8. g3 { g3 of course to counter the attack on g2 with the rook but in exchange
black would keep on attacking white's kingside [%csl Gg8,Gg3][%cal Gg2g3] } ( 8. Be3 { Be3 with intention of simply developing pieces and then casting forward
on the kingside. Black should continue with the assault on white's kingside
even if he hasn't castled! (Remember to develop your pieces first before committing to an attack. [%csl Ge3][%cal Gc1e3] } 8... Bg4 { [%csl Gg4][%cal Gc8g4] } 9. Be2 { [%csl Ge2][%cal Gf1e2] } 9... Nd7 { [%csl Gd7][%cal Gb8d7] } 10. h3 { [%csl Gh3][%cal Gh2h3] } ( 10. Qc2 Bf5 11. Qb3 Qxb3 12. axb3 Be6 { Endgame is roughly alright for black } ) 10... Bh5 { [%csl Gh5][%cal Gg4h5] } 11. g4 { White's intention is quite clear in here. White would not castle kingside
but rather on the queenside where it is much safer. If all choices run out
white would simply tuck in his king on the center or on the f1 square. [%csl Gg4][%cal Gg2g4] } 11... Bg6 { [%csl Gg6][%cal Gh5g6] } 12. Rg1 { [%csl Gg1][%cal Gh1g1] } 12... O-O-O { [%csl Gc8][%cal Ge8c8] } ) 8... Bg4 { [%csl Gg4][%cal Gc8g4] } 9. Bg2 { [%csl Gg2][%cal Gf1g2] } 9... Nd7 { [%csl Gd7][%cal Gb8d7] } 10. O-O { [%csl Gg1][%cal Ge1g1] } 10... Qh5 { Notice how black's queen was able to shift easily to support the assault
on white's kingside! [%csl Gh5,Gh2][%cal Gd5h5,Gh5h2] } 11. Qd3 { [%csl Gd3][%cal Gd1d3] } 11... O-O-O { This is what I like about the Bronstein-Larsen Variation. it reminds me
of the Stafford Gambit but better since black is not committed to sacrifice
a pawn in the opening and also quite flexible in development. [%csl Gc8][%cal Ge8c8] } *