Fantasy Variation of the Caro-Kann ⎸Chess Openings

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The Fantasy Variation can be a great surprise weapon for white against the Caro-Kann Defense.

For the basics of the Caro-Kann, main variations, ideas and opening principles, watch this video:    • Caro-Kann Defense (introduction, main vari...  

The Fantasy Variation (also known as the Tartakower or the Maróczy) starts after the moves:

1.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.f3 – With this move white is simply reinforcing his central e4 pawn (as opposed to playing Nc3, e5 or exd5). This move is double edged for white. It’s taking away the natural square for the g1 knight to develop to, and it’s weakening the squares around the king. In exchange, white gets a stronger grip on the center.

Black has four ways to respond:

3…dxe4 – 01:15 This is the main line of the Fantasy Caro-Kann. With this move black is accepting the fact that white can recapture with the f3 pawn, but, in exchange, black gets to attack white’s center immediately with the move e5 – disrupting white’s plans from the start.

3…e6 – 07:30 The most passive way for black to try and equalize. This line often leads to positions similar to the advance French or the advance Caro Kann, where black has a “bad” light squared bishop stuck on c8.

3…g6 – 09:32 A good response to 3.f3. Black aims to fianchetto his kingside bishop and to castle kingside as soon as possible.

3…Qb6 – 11: 46 An attacking variation which can be double-edged for black If white plays well. You can either get a much better position or a slightly worse position after 3…Qb6, so it’s definitely worth studying. This is also the rarest continuation for black, so not many of your opponents will be familiar with it.