"Bad Marriage" in the Caro-Kann | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1410

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 1424 on Chess.com. Working against my Caro-Kann (1.e4 c6), my opponent opts for a common, but not-so-challenging setup with 2.Nc3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.d4. Although this version of the Carlsbad Structure is playable for White, this construction lacks bite if White's c3 knight doesn't soon cause Black problems (White can face similar problems in the Jobava London). In the analysis, I discuss the typical middlegame plans for these "two center pawns vs. one" scenarios what abound at lower levels.

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