nice
Playing the Caro Kann Part 3: The Exchange Variation
Sort:
Apr 17, 2023
0
#7
Ah yes I recently played an otb game as black in this line, white didn't go for the pawn ob b7 though and it always slightly better until I saw my chance and won. It was a fun game.
You did not cover the Panov-Botvinnik Caro-Kann.
(Created by YEAT but he was unable to export the blog properly)
Hello! Welcome to Part 3 of the series on the Caro Kann covering all responses to 1.e4. By the end of this series, you (the reader) will hopefully be able to play the Caro Kann. Enjoy!
Playing the Caro Kann Part 3: The Exchange
The Exchange Variation is one of white's most popular responses to the Caro Kann and arises from 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5.
The Exchange Variation results in a Carlsbad structure and allows Black many options. Black can go for an early Qc7 restricting whites dark-squared bishop or Black can go for a more solid setup. For our repertoire, we choose the more solid setup. White's main move in the position following the exchange is Bd3. Every other move will either transpose to Bd3 lines or result in unambitious play. For example
Therefore, white's only ambitious attempt is Bd3. Following Bd3, we will play Nc6, attacking the d4 pawn and forcing c3. Other replies such as Ne2 can be dealt with easily.
In response to c3, we play Nf6, simply developing and preparing Bg4, attacking the white queen.
In this position, white must play Bf4. All other moves concede Black a comfortable position. We then play Bg4 attacking the queen. The queen must move to b3; otherwise, we will have an easy position with steady development.
Since the b7 pawn is attacked, we must defend it. We play Qd7, defending the pawn and now White will normally develop his pieces with Nd2. We will also play a rather natural move, e6.
Nf3 will be White's next move, preparing a short castle, where we will respond with a dynamic Bd6!?
This move may look like it blunders a pawn after Bxd6 and Qxb7, however after castling Kingside, black will regain the pawn and have a very comfortable position.
White in this position can either play Ne5 or Bg3 and here are some sample ways to continue: