Introducing The Caro - Kane Variation

If you're here for serious chess improvement, you probably want to check out my previous blog post. If you want a fun surprise weapon to score some quick wins in blitz and bullet, this is the place for you!

I don't usually play 1.e4, so when I do it means I want to sacrifice and play for checkmate. With open games and Sicilians, there are plenty of fun gambits, but what to do in the Caro-Kann? That's where I had to get creative and develop my own, virtually unheard-of gambit. At this point, I've played it in 100+ bullet games and can present some findings.

1... How to play the Caro-Kane

Here's how we get there:

5.Neg5 is almost never played, so it has tons of surprise value. 5...h6 is the main line and the only critical move. Here are a few sidelines that I've faced.

5...e6??

The f7-pawn falls and Black can resign.

5...Bf5

This is almost playable, but f7 is still a serious problem, White is better even if Black avoids the following blunder.

Now for the main line

5...h6 is possibly the only move that's playable for Black. 6.Nh3 would be depressing, so it's more practical to sacrifice with 6.Nxf7!? After 6...Kxf7 7.Ne5+ (my preference, although I've scored well with Bc4+ too) Black has a critical choice.

Ke8 runs into a surprising refutation!

8.Bd3, threatens Bg6+ and White's already in control.

Counterplay with Qd5 is the one way for Black to aim for any chances to defend, but it's still a brutal position.

The insane 7...Ke6

A few brave souls have tried this, but White's already totally winning.

But what if Black plays correctly with 7.Kg8?

OK, so Black is up a knight for a pawn, but that king is exposed, the light square are weak and in fast time controls, that's usually enough compensation. White wants to play Bc4+, d4 and if the e5-knight is attacked, then f4 as well. In my experience, Black nearly always makes the strategically dubious capture on e5, which allows fxe5, opening the file to attack.

Here's an example. 

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This one featured a thematic knock-out tactic.

Thanks for reading!