I play the Caro-Kann but I don't play this variation. To me the main drawback is it practically forces black to castle Queenside, and Black's Queenside is not developed at all. You probably know that 5...exf6 is the Korchnoi variation, which is also an aggressive attempt for Black.
Bronstein-Larsen variation of the Caro-Kann
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Sound? Maybe, if you known what you are doing. I think I played it a few times in the early 90s, but I have only one recorded OTB game against a NM. I lost in 17!
Jan 22, 2010
0
#4
Estragon wrote:
Sure, it's sound, meaning it doesn't lead to a lost or near-lost position, but if White is prepared he will get a slightly better game than he achieves through the regular lines 4...Bf5 and 4...Nd7. It's not seen very often these days, and most White players have so much to prepare for - Sicilians, all the 1...e5 lines, French, Pirc and Modern set-ups, Alekhine's, and the main lines of the Caro-Kann that the Bronstein Variation is one of the side-lines players are apt to skip in preparation.
Black may respond to 5 Nxf6+ by recapturing with either pawn. ...exf6 aims to make use of the e-file and quick development and retains the option of castling Kingside, but is not so ambitious and is usually employed when a draw satisfies Black. ...gxf6 is in the true adventurous spirit of Bronstein and Larsen, and creates instant imbalances in the position, declaring Black's intent to go down fighting.
I have used this as an occasional surprise weapon in OTB play, but the strange thing is that NONE of the four opponents I tried it on (over the years) played 5 Nxf6+! They all were unprepared and afraid of the tricks I might have ready, and each played 5 Ng3 instead. I have since decided this is a very weak move, and Black might best take advantage with 5 ...h5 immediately questioning the Ng3, and if the natural reply 6 h4, Bg4 7 f3 Bc8 - the damage is done and the Bishop has no better place to be, but look how White has voluntarily weakened his Kingside in the first 7 moves!
haha,it seems like a good surprise weapon indeed.
I've been losing my last few games with the Bf5 line,that's why I'm trying to shake things up a bit...also like you said the exf6 and Nd7 are good alternatives,I'll try those too.the problem with the Bf5 line is that I have to confine my bishop on g6,I need more freedom for my bishops.
just tried the Brontsein line in live blitz,the position got a little wild but I managed to get a draw lol.
Jan 22, 2010
0
#5
I have played this about a dozen times in tournament play. Here is one of my shorter games with this variation.
The soundest move for White in this line is thought to be 6.g3, I think. It dulls the effect of Black's semi-open file, gives the Bishop a nice square to develop to, and overall saddles Black with a positional weakness for little compensation.
Without any experience with this opening, I played this opening yesterday in a real game against someone who has 400 ELO higher then I have (his ELO is around 1900 and mine is around 1500). It's a nice opening, but I switched two moves with eachother and instead of winning a rook I lost a bishop. And that's why I lost.....
It's surprising and many players are out of the book immediately. And then you have a little plus. I searched the internet with this game and I've decided to play this opening more.
I've found a game, but I'm wondering why is white resigning?
Kentering wrote:
I've found a game, but I'm wondering why is white resigning?
White resigned in this position as his only option left is to play Kf1, as any other move spells disaster for white.
Mar 6, 2013
0
#10
yes its sound. however, Larsen played it mostly because Caro-Kann players weren't used to playing these type positions. He even made a book and devoted some space going over this variant. It is in danish however :)
I'm not sure, it's still playable with fxg3.
If White plays instead 15. f2xg3 then comes the blow 15. Qh4x d4+ which wins the c4-bishop for black and leaves white in a hopeless situation after for example 16. Be3, 16. Qd4xc4, 17. Bg5, 17. Qd4+
or 17.b3, 17. Qd5 and black will be quite satisfied with the queens off and a dynamic endgame.
Best wishes,
Ng3 has a lot of lines for black with a lot of sting, and can become quite tactical; if black knows the themes of it, which you should know well, if you want to play this line. Its a line that should be played if you know it well, and its not refuted. At the worst, you get a draw in a few lines ( or a few losses if tactics is not your forte). Just do your homework first , if you want to be successful with it !
Santa gave me the book Caro-Kann, move by move by Cyrus Lakdawala, but unfortunately... Cyrus has no games with this opening in this book. I want to study this opening very well.
Does anyone has advise for me?
I recommend sacrificing the queen on d4, then directly exchange opposite colored bishops.
Beren_Camlost schreef:
I recommend sacrificing the queen on d4, then directly exchange opposite colored bishops.
What do you mean?
The old Batsford edition from Suetin on the Caro-Kann covers also the Bronstein-Larsen variation. Otherwise and more recent is the book of Galagher although mainly written for beginners and intermediate levels it contains nonetheless interesting ideas on this variation.
Tartakower777 schreef:
The old Batsford edition from Suetin on the Caro-Kann covers also the Bronstein-Larsen variation. Otherwise and more recent is the book of Galagher although mainly written for beginners and intermediate levels it contains nonetheless interesting ideas on this variation.
Can you tell me what kind of ideas?
hi all,
was just wondering if anyone here plays this particular variation of the Caro-Kann,and if yes,is it sound?I know it's an aggressive way for black to open up lines and play dynamically.