The ABC of the Caro Kann
Review by Bob Long
"This time IM Andrew Martin takes on the Caro Kann in the
new ChessBase thriller: "The ABC of the Caro Kann." I can remember when, if one played 1. e4, or 1. d4 followed
by 1. e4, if you didn't see the Sicilian, your chances of getting the Caro Kann
was almost 50-50 (divided among the French). Nowadays there is the Alekhine
Defense, Scandinavian, and a few other things (if we leave out the reply 1...
e5).
The Caro, you might recall, doesn't block in the Bc8. It
was a favorite of Capablanca, and Karpov played it at times, almost
exclusively.
In this DVD the program starts out with an Intro and Game
1, and "Repertoire" choices. In fact, his repertoire is based on
"Capablanca's Variation" which runs: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4.
Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6. And lest I forget, White's more "off the
wall" moves are covered too if he tries to roll his own Caro Kann. (You
know, when White loves to play d3, sometimes transposing to the King's Indian
Attack.) Martin gives some good clean material in response.
All together there are about 15 games in the first couple
sections of this 4 hour plus video, but it is more than that. Martin engages in
"sidebars," showing what has happened in other variations, and with
some prominent players.
The Caro Kann, as shown by Martin, can be plenty sharp, but
there are also times when Black is looking for a way to survive and Andrew
introduces us to new games to show us how to deal with White's flights of
fancy. Yes, it can be done, and there are a number of draws on this DVD, but my
memory isn't so great that I could remember all these games to get those draws
against the stronger players.
As usual, Martin is a good actor and handles his material,
voice inflection, computer, and the camera with aplomb.
Caro Kann - The Easy Way - click here to replay sample in reduced quality...
Perhaps, the more interesting section, at least for me, is
when White plays the "Advance" move order: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5
4. dxc5 Nc6 5. Bb5 e6 (blocking in the Bc8).
I liked Martin's Benko Gambit DVD a little better because
EACH of the main games had the names of the players.
The first game is an interesting theoretical
"novelty" from David-Khenkin, 1990. In the extended notes Martin
gives several sharp variations where White tries something else. Martin also
notes that there are quick wins and a "defense" which seems dubious
and yet hard to crack over the board--and sometimes hard to crack even in home
analysis.
The Advance actually has a Summary. There are also 3 games
in the Two Knights Variation, the King's Indian Attack, and the Exchange
Variation BEFORE we get to the much talked about Panov-Botvinnik variations. Lastly,
there is coverage of the "Odds and Ends" variety.
In the Panov, Mr. Martin believes that Black is okay with
the moves he (Martin) gives. He starts out with M. Admas-A. Dreev, Wijk aan Zee
2002. Throughout this DVD Martin often emphasizes ...Bg4 and this game is no
exception. He also notes the frequent activity of the black King in Panov
games. One of the more interesting games has to be Morozevich-Anand in Russia vs. the Rest of the World-a game which
Martin describes as "Blunderful." Another draw.
In the last Panov, Sveshnikov faces off against Starostits,
Riga 2005. On move 7 Sveshnikov plays a3, a move he likes against the French
Defense too.
Even though there are a number of draws in these games it
MUST be frustrating for White, and no doubt it will be for your opponent too,
who undoubtedly is NOT a grandmaster or super strong player. Martin keeps
emphasizing activity and solid play-how can that be a bad recommendation?
Another excellent Martin DVD-it is no wonder ChessBase
continues to use him."
Full review at
www.chessco.com
