Expert: Len Molden - 3/26/2006

Question
how do i set it up?

Answer
Hi Robert - The Caro-Kann Defense occurs from the following move order:

1.e4 c6

Usual now is 2.d4 d5.  

It's an excellent defence to use against White's most popular opening 1.e4 as it's very solid.

The main lines in this opening are:

1.   Classical;    1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3. Nc3 de 4. Ne4 Bf5
2.   Nimzovitch;   1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3. Nc3 de 4. Ne4 Nd7
3.   Tartakower;    1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3. Nc3 de 4. Ne4  
                       Nf6 5.Nf6 ef
4.   Larsen/Bronstein;   1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3. Nc3 de
                               4. Ne4 Nf6 5.Nf6 gf
5.   Gurgenidze;      1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3. Nc3 g6
6.   Exchange;      1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3. ed cd
                               4.Bd3
7.   Panov attack;      1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.ed cd 4.c4
8.   Smyslov;       1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3
9.   Two Knights;      1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3. Nf3
10.   Misc; KIA etc;      1.e4 c6 2.c4 ;   1.e4 c6
                               2.d3 ;
11.   Advanced Variation;   1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5


The Advanced Variation

This is considered to be the sharpest option for White.

3.e5 -- white plays for space on King side –

3…. Bf5, and now there are two approaches: The risky 4.Nc3 and the solid 4.Nf3.

As the Caro-Kann players do not like sharp lines, let us focus on

4.Nc3:
This is a developing move; it challenges the central square e4, and it prepares g4 in case black commits e6. Notice that White plays g4 only after black plays e6.  
4.g4?! is  refuted with 4…Bd7! but not 4… Bg6?! as after 5.e6!? it is not clear how Black is going to develop his king side minors.

After 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 the bishop is out of the pawns chain, and black can play 5…Bxb1, but
the absence of Bg6  does not help Black to play on the Queen side.

On the other hand, White better let Bg6 control the diagonal b1-h7, rather than exchanging it with Bd3.

As Speelman has pointed out in his book “this Bishop may prove to be merely straffing air”. If Black tries to play on the Queenside immediately, then White can exchange with Bd3, i.e.:  4.Nc3 Qb6 5.Bd3 Bd3 6.Qd3 e6 7.Nge2 Qa6 8. Qh3 etc.

Back to main line: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nge2...

Is white going to lose some tempos by playing the same piece 2-3 times in the opening, when there are other pieces undeveloped? Is it necessary to exchange this Knight for the " Bad Bishop" on g6 in a position with a "closed center?”  What is the future of Bg6?

A)   6...Ne7 7.Nf4 c5


A1) 8.h4 cxd4 9.Nb5 Nec6 10.h5 Be4

11.f3 Bxf3
[11...g5 12.fxe4 the end of the bishop. After 12...dxe4 13.Nh3 h6 14.c3 dxc3 15.Qxd8+ Kxd8 16.Bg2 Nxe5 17.Bxe4 and I do not see any compensation for the piece.] 12.Qxf3 The end of the bishop.

A2) 8.dxc5 Why not? After getting rid of Bg6, White's pair of Bishops needs an open position! 8...Nd7 (8...Nec6 9.h4 Qc7 10.Bg2 Qxe5+ 11.Kf1 Bxc5 12.h5 Be4 13.Nxe4 The end of the bishop 13...dxe4 14.Qe2) 9.h4 Nxe5 10.Bg2 h5

11.Qe2 N7c6 12.Nxg6 the end of the bishop! Now, after 12...Nxg6 13.Bg5 Be7 14.gxh5 Nf8 15.Nb5 I like white.

B)   6...f6 7.Nf4 Bf7 The retreat of the Bishop (7...fxe5 8.Nxe6 Qe7 9.Nxf8 exd4+ 10.Be2 dxc3 11.Nxg6 The end of the Bishop!)

8.Qe2 Qe7 (8...fxe5 9.Qxe5 The pawn on e6 is weak.) 9.Bd2 Nd7 10.h4 0–0–0 11.0–0–0 with a pleasant position for white.

C)   6...h5 7.Nf4 h4 8.Nxg6 fxg6 the end of the Bishop.

Homework:

You should research and study the ideas and plans behind the following variations:

D)   6…Be7 7.Nf4
E)   6…Nd7 7.h4
F)   6…c5 7.Be3 Nc6 8.dc Ne5 9.Nf4
G)   6…Bb4
H)   6…h6

Recommended book:      

http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/1857443039/qid=1138640523/sr=1-13/ref=sr_1...

Regards,

Len Molden