Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6/3. Nf3/3...Nf6/4. Nc3/4...dxc4/5. a4/5...Bf5/6. Ne5/6...Nbd7/7. Nxc4/7...Qc7/8. g3/8...e5

Carlsbad variation D17 Central variation 8...e5 · Carlsbad variation Black finally pushes the e pawn forward, releasing the dark-squared bishop and fighting for the center. If White ignores the pawn and prepares to castle with 9. Bg2, Black can start building pressure with 9...Rd8, aiming at White's queen, and 10...Be6 pressuring the knight (if 9...O-O-O then 10. a5! followed by 11. Qa4 starts a nasty attack on the queenside). Therefore, White's best option is 9. dxe5, exchanging pawns in the center. History The Carlsbad variation is likely named after the tournament with the move's first appearance, that being the Karlsbad tournament from 1929. It was featured in a game between Capablanca and Vidmarhttps://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1066826. Theory table all 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7 11. Bg2 g5 12. Ne4 gxf4 13. Nxf5 O-O-O 14. Qc2 9. ... ... 10. ... ... 11. ... ... 12. Bxe5 Nxe5 13. Qd4 f6 14. O-O-O compensation 9. ... ... 10. ... ... 11. ... f6 12. O-O Nc5 13. Ne3 Bg6 14. b4 + References See also