Bots vs. Caro-Kann

I've been enjoying playing against the chess.com bots lately, for practice and experimental purposes. And I'm a fan of the Caro-Kann.

So here's my ongoing collection of bots vs. Caro-Kann games.

Hopefully these games will be instructive or at least interesting in some way. Feel free to ask questions, or suggest any improvements.

Game 1: Li-Bot (2000) vs. Caro-Kann - Advance Variation, with 6.Be3

Game 2: Francis-Bot (2300) vs. Caro-Kann - Rasa-Studier Gambit, with 4...e3

Ah, yes. Underpromotion is always fun.

Game 3: Li-BOT (2000) vs. Caro-Kann - Advance Variation, with 8. g4

General Impressions: I'm liking the 6... Bg6 + 7... Nf5 maneuver, more and more, against the Short variation. It seems slow, but white isn't really pressing any issues, so black has enough time to "unwind". Opposite-side castling, with an ...f6 break, is also quite fun and attractive in these lines.

Room for Improvement: I wasn't thrilled when Li-BOT played 33.f4. I expected it, and Black was still doing well, but I still feel that 33.f4 made white too comfortable.

For that reason, I believe 32...f4 would've been an improvement. Black sacrifices a pawn, but if white captures, it would open another line of attack in front of white's king. This, I believe, would've been harder for white to defend.

Mental Note: When on the attack, keep an eye out for moves that your opponent will find more "uncomfortable" to deal with.

Game 4: Li-BOT (2000) vs. Caro-Kann - Panov Attack, Fianchetto Defense

General Impressions: Lately, I'm enjoying the fianchetto variation for black, against the Panov (and against the Accelerated Panov). Black delays recapturing on d5 and trusts in his ability to win back the pawn later (or trusts that his position will be stronger, if white awkwardly tries to hold onto the pawn).

Black just needs to make sure to keep his e-pawn back, as a "guard" against black's isolated queen pawn ... otherwise, black might have trouble if white turns his IQP into a passer.

Room for Improvement: As usual, I sometimes miss subtle tactics. Here, the 29...Bxh2+ intermezzo was much stronger, and would've made converting the endgame so much simpler.

Mental Note: Even when winning, always stop to look for intermezzos. Also: keep a wary eye on your opponent's isolated pawns, and restrict them from advancing, when you can.

Missing bxh2 shouldnt be a concern at all, winning a wing pawn when you have already won the game isn't a big deal and no one can blame you for choosing the simplest line