Deep Blue's knight on e6 is lesson 4 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 3: king hunts, an opening course suited to players rated around 1500 (club players). Caro-Kann Defence, B15. A knight sacrifice on e6 that won a famous computer match. It has 3 interactive exercises: 3 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
This is the Caro-Kann with Nd7 and Ng5. Black's h6 kicks the knight, but it does not have to retreat. In the last game of their 1997 match, Deep Blue played the move you are about to learn against Garry Kasparov. About 17,000 rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
Nxe6! The knight takes the e-pawn. Black's king can no longer castle easily, and the e-file opens toward it.
Black did not take at once and played Qe7. After O-O and fxe6, Bg6 check drives the king to d8, and Bf4 brings another piece. Black's king is stuck in the centre for a long time. The engines give White a clear edge.
Recap.
In this Caro-Kann line, h6 can be met by Nxe6.
After Qe7, castle out of the pin.
After fxe6, Bg6 check keeps the king in the centre.
Deep Blue beat Kasparov with this idea in 1997.
What you practise
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Caro-Kann Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Black's h6 kicks your knight on g5. Do not retreat. Give it for the e6 pawn.
Black takes the knight at once. Now the light squares around the king are weak. Check the king.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Caro-Kann Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. Black answers h6. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Black's h6 kicks your knight on g5. Do not retreat. Give it for the e6 pawn. That is Deep Blue's sacrifice. The black king never finds a safe home.
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