Development in a specific line of the 4... Bf5 Caro-Kann

Hi everybody,

I'm choosing between the 4... Bf5 and 4... Nd7 Caro-Kann. In order to do this, I checked and tried some lines in the 4... Bf5.

Though, it seems that White has the advantage after :

So, what do you play after 13. Ne4 ?
Please develop a little the lines and possible variations.

Thanks.
Julien

Nb5

Uh...Nb5 seems slightly illegal for both players!

Anyway, why not just Castle?  13...O-O scores only 42.3% for White in newinchess.com's database (20 wins, 34 losses, 37 draws across 91 games for White).

Trading on e4 just accelerates White's attack and scores a healther 53.7% for White (71 wins, 54 losses, 107 draws across 232 games for White).

Thriller Fan : 13... 0-0 worries me a little because White can play 14. Nxf6 Nxf6 15. g4 with a kingside pawnstorm and I'm afraid that my king might be a danger after a few more moves (note that 15... Nxg4 is possible but 16. Rg1 f5 gives White a strong initiative (not 16... Nf6 cause 17. Bxh6 and an almost won game for White)).

Any other thoughts about this line ?

13...Nxe4 14.Qxe4 Nf6, and if 15.Qe2, Qd5 16.c4 Qe4 with an interesting endgame, and if 15.Qd3 0-0 (15...Qd5?! 16.c4 Qe4 17.Qb3!) 16.g4 Nxg4! 17.Rhg1, and now 17...Nxf2 leads to a forced draw, while 17...f5!? 18.Qe2 Kh7 19.Qxe6 Qd6 is fine for Black.

Ok, thanks.

Now, what do you think is best for Black if 13. Kb1 ?

If I remember correctly, 13...Qb6 is best, preparing Q-side counterplay.

Mainline_Novelty, according to you, is the line 12... Qc7 with queenside castling is better for Black ?

By "better for Black" do you mean in comparison to the ...0-0 lines? If so, I honestly don't know, given I've only studied/played ...0-0 lines, but I'd say, below elite level, just go with what you like best and feel most comfortable in.

Yeah, I meant in comparison to the 0-0 lines.

Can you tell me how you play after 12. 0-0-0 in your own games ? And how do you manage to survive/block the threat and pressions caused by the g and h pawns (for example g4 a few more moves after 0-0-0) ?

You'll need to know some concrete lines, but generally it's a combination of Queenside counterplay, and neutralizing White's play (e.g. the ...Nxg4 and ...f5 thing)

Do you also play the 4... Nd7 line of the Caro-Kann ?

I don't, so I can't help you there.

• 16.c4 Qe4 : why is the endgame interesting ?
• After 17. Rhg1 Nxf2 18. Qf1, what do you play ? 18...Nxd1 seems risky because White can play 19. Bxh6 with a strong attack (19... Bf6 20. Qg2 for example)

Really ? So what would you play after 19. Bxh6 (if 19...Bf6 then 20. Qg2) ?

(Mainline_Novelty : I'd like to know your opinions about my 2 previous questions please)

I personally find the endgame interesting, you may or may not. Black can play with ...f5 and ...Bg5.

And, I'm pretty sure the ...Nxf2xd1 line ends in perpetual somewhere down the line, but I'll need time to find my prep on it.

What do you think about this variation ? (White seems to have a better position)

What do you do to prevent any nasty knight move in the 16. c4 Qe4 endgame ?

Furthemore, White can play something else than 16. g4 : for example 16. Ne5 is a strong move (White is better), so what do you play after other 16th moves (such as 16. Ne5) ?

Though, if White plays 16. g4, I agree that it seems that Black can have an (at least) equal game.
Mainline_Novelty : if you can find your preparation about this line (and any other line), it would be very great if you could share it with us :)

After 13. Ne4 Nxd4 14.Qd4 Nf6 15.Qe2 Qd5 16. Kb1 Qe4 is fine for black. White can play 15. Qd3 to mix it up a bit, then the Qd5 plan isn't so good as the other guy pointed out. After 13. Kb1 theres a lot of ideas to avoid getting mated by playing some usefulish waiting moves like Qc7 to see what white does since g4 doesn't do much if the kings still on e8. You can play O-O which is probably the main line but you run the risk of getting mated, especially if you don't know the theory.

I did like the Nd7 line, simply because it was my taste. I don't play it anymore though, since white has all the fun. If white wins, it is because he finds a combination which mates you. If black wins, it's because of his endgame technique.