Anatoly Karpov's Astounding Caro-Kann Defense

🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications for more chess content and openings! :)

Follow me…

The legendary Anatoly Karpov mastered the Caro-Kann Defense. Known for its solid structure and deceptive aggressiveness, the Caro-Kann Defense was a favourite weapon in Karpov's formidable chess arsenal. We'll look at four of Karpov's astounding games, dissecting his strategic brilliance and the nuanced maneuvers that left his opponents reeling.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:22 Game 1
04:25 Game 2
08:50 Game 3
12:19 Game 4

Game 1: Ehsan Ghaem Maghami vs Anatoly Karpov, Mate of the King 2009
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nf3 Bb4 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Qc2 Nc6 9. a3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Ba5 11. Bd3 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 Qxd4 13. Bb5+ Bd7 14. O-O Qe5 15. Bxd7+ Kxd7 16. Qa4+ Ke7 17. Rb1 b6 18. Rb5 Qc7 19. Qg4 Kf8 20. c4 h5 21. Qf3 Rc8 22. Bb2 Kg8 23. Rd1 Rh6 24. c5 a6 25. Rb3 Qxc5 26. g3 h4 27. Rc1 Qxc1+ 28. Bxc1 Rxc1+ 29. Kg2 h3+ 0-1

Game 2: Vasily Yemelin vs Anatoly Karpov, Keres Memorial 2006
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. c5 Be7 7. Nf3 O-O 8. Qc2 b6 9. b4 a5 10. Na4 axb4 11. Nxb6 Ra7 12. Ne5 Nfd7 13. Nbxd7 Bxd7 14. Bd3 h6 15. Bd2 Bf6 16. f4 Nc6 17. Nxc6 Bxc6 18. Qb2 Qa5 19. Ke2 Qxc5 20. Rac1 Qd6 21. Bxb4 Qxf4 22. Bxf8 Bxd4 23. Qd2 Rxa2 24. Rc2 Qf2+ 25. Kd1 Ra1+ 26. Rc1 Ba4+ 27. Bc2 Rxc1+ 28. Qxc1 Qxg2 29. Re1 Qf3+ 0-1

Game 3: De Gremont vs Anatoly Karpov, San Giorgio Simul 1995
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Bd3 Bxd3 5. Qxd3 e6 6. Nf3 c5 7. c3 Nc6 8. a3 c4 9. Qc2 Nge7 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 g5 12. Bg3 Nf5 13. Nbd2 h5 14. h4 g4 15. Ng1 Be7 16. Ne2 Bxh4 17. Bxh4 Nxh4 18. g3 Nf5 19. O-O-O Qg5 20. Kb1 O-O-O 21. b3 b5 22. bxc4 bxc4 23. Ka1 Kc7 24. Rb1 Rb8 25. Rxb8 Rxb8 26. Rb1 h4 27. gxh4 Qxh4 28. Nf1 Qxf2 29. Rxb8 Nxb8 0-1

Game 4: Igor Alexandre Nataf vs Anatoly Karpov, Cannes 2002
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3 a6 5. Be3 e6 6. g4 Bg6 7. Nge2 f6 8. exf6 gxf6 9. Qd2 Nd7 10. h4 Bd6 11. h5 Bf7 12. f4 Ne7 13. Nc1 Rg8 14. Be2 e5 15. Nb3 exd4 16. Bxd4 c5 17. Be3 f5 18. O-O-O Qc7 19. gxf5 O-O-O 20. Bf3 Nxf5 21. Bxd5 Nxe3 22. Bxf7 Bxf4 23. Ne2 Rg2 24. Rdg1 Nf8 25. Rxg2 Nxg2 26. Nxf4 Rxd2 27. Nxd2 Nxf4 0-1

#chess

[bangkok_as_is]

the last game was brutal, man. those discovered checks are savage, love 'em 🤙🏻

[TelAvivShalom]

It’s an excellent video, thoughtful, well presented and easy to follow. Thank you!
Karpov’s black pawn advance on the h file in game one is a true manifestation of ingenuity… What a great champion!

[rewindforward]

Winning the third game that way was too cool. Karpov is a true legend indeed. He was a positional player. In addition, he could attack like a beast. Plus, he could defend like a pro. Respect!

[stefanwolf]

I have watched this vid half a dozen times now and I still learn something new everytime. Karpov is such a tactical genius

[kentvanhoeven]

Actually a great intro to the Caro-Kann.

[gavinjones]

Great video, getting straight into it and no messing around, well paced ! I have always learned the most by playing through top level games.. So this is ideal. Cheers and have immediately subscribed.

[RomaEternaVictrix]

Karpov is my rock when I am in difficulties. Petrosian is my holy spirit, and Capablanca is my God. That is my Holy Black Trinity.

[mikestubbs]

This is a very good presentation of quality material! Also good is the inclusion of the moves so making it much easier to follow the games! The timestamps are very helpful too -some thought has gone into all this, so...very well done sir!!

[HenryFabianGT]

All Karpov games are always so instructive.
People are always praising Kasparov, but I feel that learning from Karpov has made me a better chess player.

Amazing narration too. +1 sub 💯

[michaelfortunato]

I play the Caro-Kann but I don't think I've seen all four Karpov games. You did a great job reviewing them. Thanks.

[davidbatchelder]

This is one of your best videos. Wonderful job.

[ianerickson]

In a tournament game not that long ago, I was faced against the Botvinnik and didnt know the main moves! Sadly lost that game! Appreciate the video as it adds to my previous study of this opening, gotta make my carokann menacing! Cheers

[chinnaiah.G]

Very nice play by Anatoly karpov! and your comemtery is so good!

[scacchifilosofia]

Fantastic video, and fantastic Karpov! Greetings from Italy 😎

[robertadona]

Interesting games by the former World Champion.. ❤

[ИванАтамась-яу]

I tested lot of different defenses and now considering Caro-Kann as simply BEST opening in chess ever.

[prakasavigraha]

Super interesting and very followable. The use of colourful language adds a little spice which I definitely appreciate. In all a great video. Cheers Sammy.

[alaakhalil]

Thank you so much. Very simple and straightforward games. Could you please share more in the Caro kann with top games from top players?

[arguellozelaya]

Thank you for sharing this Master Pieces of the Caro Kann and Karpov.
I play it myself, and have an almost 60% winning rate playing black with it.

[andrewjacob]

Anatoly Karpov will always be remembered as The final Boss.