Game Of the Week:Debashis vs. Iturrizaga - Abu Dhabi Masters 2015

Debashis vs. Iturrizaga - Abu Dhabi Masters 2015

Opening: B19: Caro-Kann

Player(s): Debashis, Iturrizaga

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In my youth, the Caro-Kann was considered an opening for weaker players, or good players who only wanted to make draws. Few players of my generation would choose such a boring opening. But in recent years, as castling kingside for Black in the main line has become the norm, we see many exciting games when White tries to storm the barricades. We can find one recent example in the Abu Dhabi Masters. The Venezuelan GM Eduardo Iturrizaga waved the proverbial red flag at the charging bull, in the person of Indian grandmaster Das Debashis. Iturrizaga surrounded his king with defenders best as he could, while Debashis pointed all his men at the same king. Let's see who prevailed - attack or defense?