Short Variation (Nigel Short): Caro-Kann & French
Short Variation
Definition
The term “Short Variation” is most commonly applied to a set of opening lines pioneered or popular-ised by the English Grandmaster Nigel Short (b. 1965). Although several openings contain continuations bearing his name, two have become standard textbook fare:
- The Caro-Kann Advance, Short Variation: 1. e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2
- The French Advance, Short Variation: 1. e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3
In both cases White forgoes the most critical “theoretical” continuations, chooses a flexible developing move, and aims to obtain a playable middlegame while sidestepping extensive computer-checked theory. Outside of these openings, authors may occasionally use “short variation” (in lower-case) simply to denote a brief analytical side-line, but in modern literature the capitalised form almost always refers to Nigel Short’s systems.
Strategic Themes
- Flexibility & Prophylaxis – The bishop move in the Caro-Kann (5.Be2) and the pawn move in the French (6.a3) do little immediately, yet they restrict Black’s …c5/…Qb6 counterplay and preserve White’s central pawn chain.
- Long-term King-side Pressure – After a quiet start, White often castles short and later pushes the kingside pawns (h- and g-files) to launch an attack, a pattern that became a Short trademark.
- Psychological Weapon – These variations were introduced at the elite level precisely to pull opponents out of book, forcing them to play chess at the board rather than reel off memorised lines.
Historical Significance
Nigel Short unveiled the 5.Be2 idea versus top Soviet opposition in the mid-1980s, notably scoring victories over Lev Psakhis and Mikhail Gurevich. He later revived 6.a3 against Garry Kasparov in the French Defence (Sarajevo, 2000), drawing comfortably and sparking renewed analytical interest. By the early 2000s both “Short Variations” had filtered into mainstream opening manuals and remain respectable surprises at club and grandmaster level.
Illustrative Games
- Short – Gurevich, British Ch. 1987 (Caro-Kann) Short’s novelty 5.Be2 led to a positional squeeze and an eventual win on move 39.
- Kasparov – Short, Sarajevo 2000 (French) 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3! — the very first time the move appeared against a reigning World Champion. Kasparov could find no edge; the game was drawn after 29 moves.
Typical Plans for White
- Caro-Kann: Place knights on c3 and e2, castle short, prepare g4/h4 pawn storm.
- French: Expand on the queenside with b4/c4 (made easier by a3) while keeping the e5-pawn firmly protected.
Typical Plans for Black
- Undermine the base of the pawn chain with …f6 (Caro-Kann) or …f6/…cxd4 (French).
- Rapid queenside development and long castling, hoping to race kingside attacks.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The line is humorously called “short” yet often leads to the longest endgames; Short’s win over Timman (Tilburg 1991) lasted 92 moves.
- Short himself quipped, “I play 5.Be2 not because it is best, but because my opponents don’t know it isn’t.”
- ChessBase statistics show that, at master level, the Caro-Kann Short Variation scores 54 % for White – slightly above the opening’s average.
Usage in Modern Practice
While not as theoretically critical as the Advance lines with 5.h4 (Caro-Kann) or 6.dxc5 (French), the Short Variations remain fully playable. They are recommended in many “fight the main lines” repertoire books for players who prefer:
- Solid pawn structures with minimal forced theory.
- The chance to out-prepare the opponent in less-analysed positions.
- Gradual manoeuvring attacks rather than sharp theoretical duels.
Summary
The Short Variation is an instructive example of how a single grandmaster’s personal preference can enrich opening theory. By opting for flexible, slightly off-beat moves, Nigel Short created systems that remain practical weapons for players who value positional understanding over rote memorisation.