Pressure d4 with ...c5
Develop first, then make White defend the base of the pawn chain.
Caro–Kann Defence Advance Variation
Meet White's space advantage with purposeful development. Predict Black's moves in complete Advance Variation games and learn when to undermine e5 rather than merely defend.
Caro–Kann Defence Advance Variation
Black to Move
Model games
Choose a game, then return here to review or continue your progress.
Completed 0 / 5
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karjakin,Sergey - Mamedyarov,S 0-1 | SportAccord Blitz Men 2013, Beijing CHN | 2013 | 30 | No | - | - | - | - | Start |
| Giri,A - Carlsen,M 0-1 | GCT Rapid YourNextMove, Leuven BEL | 2016 | 23 | No | - | - | - | - | Start |
| Vachier Lagrave,M - Nepomniachtchi,I 0-1 | GCT Rapid Paris 2019, Paris FRA | 2019 | 35 | No | - | - | - | - | Start |
| Aronian,L - Grischuk,A 0-1 | Chess24 Banter Final 2020, chess24.com INT | 2020 | 29 | No | - | - | - | - | Start |
| Dominguez Perez,L - Caruana,F 0-1 | Clutch Chess Showdown Int, lichess.org INT | 2020 | 35 | No | - | - | - | - | Start |
What is the Caro–Kann Defence Advance Variation?
After 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5, White gains space and fixes the centre. Black normally develops the c8-bishop before ...e6, then attacks the pawn chain rather than accepting permanent confinement.
The key choice is how to combine ...c5, ...f6 and pressure on d4. These games show that Black's sound structure becomes active only when the breaks are prepared by coordinated pieces.
Plans and ideas to look for
Challenge e5 with ...f6
Use the break when the king is safe and the centre will open for Black's pieces.
Preserve the active bishop
Retreat the f5-bishop with purpose and avoid letting White gain tempi for free.
Common mistakes for Black
Attacking e5 too soon
An unsupported ...f6 can open lines against Black's uncastled king.
Ignoring the base of the chain
Pressure on d4 often weakens e5 more effectively than a frontal attack.
Trading the bishop automatically
Decide whether an exchange helps development or simply gives White an easy recapture.
How to study these Caro–Kann games as Black
Before every Black move, compare pressure on d4 with a direct ...f6 challenge. Review which pieces made the eventual break work.