Structural & Development Considerations in the Caro-Kann | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1644

In this continuation of the "Climbing the Rating Ladder" series I take on players of various ratings levels while pointing out typical mistakes and spots for improvement along the way (possibly my own!? :)). Here I commentate a 10+5 game against a player rated 1644 on Chess.com. The line 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e5 seems a little disjointed, though after the game's 3...Bf5 4.d4 e6 White could have played 5.g4, which is a sharp line of the Advance Variation. Instead, White develops in routine but less challenging fashion with Ng1-f3, Bf1-b5+, and Bc1-g5. Though White enjoys a development lead, the "bad marriage" of the knight on c3 prevents White from easily supporting the center with c2-c3 against Black's ...c6-c5 stab. Still, Black remains behind in development, and unwinding the kingside while plus timing ...c5xd4 remain important considerations.

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