I usually use the Caro-Kahn against e4, mostly because every opening book I've ever read rates it as extremely solid. And it does seem fine (if a little boring) but one thing bothers me about it.
I never seem to know what to do with my Queen's Bishop. I usually end up with the d-pawn exchanged and pawns on c6 and e6. I can never for the life of me figure out a way to get the light-squared bishop into the game without a loss of tempo.
My knowledge of this opening (or any opening for that matter) is a bit sketchy. Am I just mis-handling the opening or is this an inherent feature/weakness of the Caro?
Any Caro-Kahn aficionado's want to point me in the right direction? Is there a thematic way of handling this Bishop? Should I just be more patient, move it up to d7 to connect the Rooks and wait until later to develop it further?
Any input is welcome...
I play the Caro-Kann defense almost always. My knowledge of this opening, (or any other opening or chess at all) isn't so big, but I have read that it's a good thing in Caro-Kann (compared to French) that it doesn't leave your queen's bishop blocked, so I don't believe it's a thematic problem of this opening. I think you should develop your QB as soon as possible, and not do e6 before you have queen's bishop developed.
The Caro-Kann is for people who don't mind a cramped position. One way to use the Queen's Bishop is employ the Classical Variation. 1. e4, c6; 2. d4, d5; 3. Nc3, cxd4; 4. Nxd4, Bf5; 5. Ng3, Bg6. The QB is participating in the game. If your opponent plays 6. h4 which was Spassky's favorite, you play 6. ...h6 and Bh7.🙂
Originally posted by IslandersfanMaybe that's my problem... I don't like that cramped feeling that I get from playing Nd7 instead of Bf5. Most of my opening books recommend Karpov's 4. ... Nd7 since it allows 5. ... Nf6 and then 6. Nxf6 doesn't result in doubled pawns for Black .
The Caro-Kann is for people who don't mind a cramped position. One way to use the Queen's Bishop is employ the Classical Variation. 1. e4, c6; 2. d4, d5; 3. Nc3, cxd4; 4. Nxd4, Bf5; 5. Ng3, Bg6. The QB is participating in the game. If your opponent plays 6. h4 which was Spassky's favorite, you play 6. ...h6 and Bh7.🙂
I'll take a look at the Classical variation...
Originally posted by jhegenerIf you don't like too cramped positions with Caro and you enjoy vivid and open games, try
Maybe that's my problem... I don't like that cramped feeling that I get from playing Nd7 instead of Bf5. Most of my opening books recommend Karpov's 4. ... Nd7 since it allows 5. ... Nf6 and then 6. Nxf6 doesn't result in doubled pawns for Black .
I'll take a look at the Classical variation...
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 it gives you ooprtunity to transform the position to Karpov's varions if White don't exchange the Knighs or if he does then continue
5. ..gxf6
It gives the game sharp character as while castles 0-0 and black 0-0-0 in most cases with attacks on both sides. Good fun and full of surprises 😉
Originally posted by JiraThanks!
Good fun and full of surprises 😉
I'm going to have to re-think my whole reason for using the Caro. I think it is either time to switch to something more dynamic or chose a more dynamic line (like the one you recommend). I have Gallagher's Starting Out guide to the Caro... think I'll pull it out and peruse some of the main line variations.