In-vesting a Pawn against the Caro-Kann | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1253

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 20+0 game against a player rated 1253 on Chess.com. Playing the Advance Variation against the Caro-Kann Defense (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5), my opponent chooses an unusual continuation with 3...Nd7?!. In the Tal Variation (3...Bf5 4.h4) I have experience with a certain e5-e6 pawn sacrifice, so I decide to execute a similar idea here via 4.f4 a6 5.e6!?. Upon capturing the pawn with 5...fxe6, Black must deal with threats towards their king on the h5-e8 diagonal, a pesky White knight coming to e5, and gummed-up minor development.

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