CK sideline: the somewhat offbeat 5. Qa4+!?

Yesterday I went for an old pet line of mine, the slightly offbeat 5. Qa4+. 5.Bb5+ and 5.Nc3 are alternatives as well. Although a sideline, there‘s still a lot of theory. The doubled extra-pawn is an asset and a liability at the same time, Black’s got compensation.

I thought it is a good idea for a one-hit-wonder to preempt preparation, against a decent opponent I wouldn’t play it twice. Black was rated about 2240 int. Elo, time period 90min without increment.

Hahaha, so was Nc6 a brilliancy, a blunderiancy, or shall we never know?

I'm enjoying the exchange variation against the caro. It's supposed to be pretty harmless, and I find most players that play the caro are booked up out of their brains, yet it certainly does not seem harmless. I used to enjoy the advance variation shirov line (nc3 + g4 etc), but that whole booked up out of their brains part can make that a difficult line to play as black gets to guide a lot of the play and it's absurdly sharp.

Actually I saw 18.Nc6 after a long think, so one move earlier. Although it had the highest coolness factor I refrained from playing it. 18.h3 was a candidate as well. Well, 18.Rac1?! was played finally.

After my opponent replied 18. ... f6 it took me some seconds to go for 19. Nc6. Of course! :D

The Qa4+ line suddenly got more followers.

A memorable tournament game played by me some years ago.

„Pawn e2, what‘s your name?“
„Seagal, Sir. Steven Seagal.“
„Ok. Go ahead!“

By the way, I have had my shortest win in a classical tournament game with this variation. Black had FIDE Elo 1915. (sic!)

That dude was a 1900? I find that hard to believe. How does he not see Bb5 after Qd7?

Nice game! I'm currently studying the Two Knights against the Caro, which several Caro players tell me terrifies them :)

„Fingerfehler“