Caro-Kann Fantasy
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3
The Fantasy Variation scores 58% for White in ChessBase's 2021 Mega database, which is higher than the more-popular alternatives.
3...e6
This passive-looking move is Black's commonest reply, introducing the threat of ...Qh4+.
4.Nc3
In the early days of the variation, whites often stayed away from, or at least delayed, this move in favour of 4.Be3 or 4.Bd3, one point being to avoid Black's reply in this game.
4...Bb4 5.Bd2!?
Breaking the pin, and so supporting e4. The main line runs 5.Bf4 Ne7 (5...Ng6 is almost as popular in Mega21, but scores seven percentage points fewer, while 5...dxe4 6.fxe4 Qh4+?! is simply met by 7.g3) 7.Qd3 b6 8.Ne2 Ba6 9.Qe3 with what the analysis engines Stockfish14 and Komodo12.1.1 reckon is a level position.
5...dxe4
More popular is 5...Ne7, when the main continuation 6.a3 Ba5 7.Bd3 is equal, according to the engines.
6.Nxe4 Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2
White's lead in development and possession of the better bishop must be worth an edge.
7...Nf6 8.0-0-0 0-0 9.Nh3!?
This has been played by a 2436, but the engines are not keen, preferring 9.Kb1 (Komodo12.1.1) or 9.h4 (Stockfish14). Note that 9.Bd3?! can be met by 9...Qxd4 as 10.Nxf6+ is answered by 10...Qxf6.
9...Nbd7 10.Bd3
Maxim Lugovskoy (2436) - Aleksey Ivlev (2296), Russian Rapid Championship (Sochi) 2019, continued 10.Nhf2 Qe7 11.Bd3 c5 12.Nxf6+ Nxf6 13.dxc5 Qxc5 14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Bxe4, when White's lead in development made him better (1-0, 47 moves).
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| Position after 10.Bd3 |
White has a large lead in development, more central space and the better bishop. However Black has no weaknesses, and while Stockfish14 gives White a slight edge, Komodo12.1.1 reckons the position is almost equal.
The full game can be seen at https://beauchess.blogspot.com/2021/08/wrocaw-round-three.html
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