In the Caro-Kann, it seems to be a case of whether it is possible for Black to play their thematic Bf5 move without punishment ... After the moves: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Nxf6 Nxf6 7.Ne5 (now after the move 7 .. Bf5), Black has to be careful - there follows 8.Bc4 e6 9.g4 Bg6 (9. ..Be4 10.f3 Bd5 11.Bd3 threatening 12.c4 trapping the Bishop) 10.h4 h6 11.Nxg6 fxg6 and Black's pawn structure is ruined ... For those that are interested in a simple, sharp variation have a look at the 5. Bc4! variation below ...
As usual, any comments welcome ...
Caro Kann Opening
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 ( 5. Bc4! Ngf6 6. Nxf6 Nxf6 7. c3! Bf5? ( 7... Qc7! the best move 8. Qb3? e6! and Black is much safer now ) 8. Qb3! hitting b7 pawn and f7 pawn and winning easily ) 5... Ngf6 6. Nxf6 Nxf6 7. Ne5 Be6 A good solid reply - it prevents Bc4. Nd7 or e6 are slightly inferior ( 7... e6 ) ( 7... Nd7 ) ( 7... Bf5? 8. Bc4 e6 9. g4 Bg6 ( 9... Be4 10. f3 Bd5 11. Bd3 threatening 12.c4 trapping the Bishop ) 10. h4 h6 11. Nxg6 fxg6 Blacks pawn structure is ruined ) 8. Be2 g6 9. O-O Bg7 solid enough for Black. Note: Black is also happy with the setup of Bd6 / b6 / Bb7 followed by c5 0.5-0.5
PGN Viewer courtesy of http://chesstempo.com/
Posts
