Caro-Kann: Short Variation
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 · B12
Part of Caro-Kann: Advance Variation
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 13
Let Black commit in the centre
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
- 7.
The idea
A calm, positional treatment of the Advance: White develops quietly with Be2, Be3 and O-O and lets Black commit first.
Main line: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 c5 6.Be3 Nc6 7.O-O
What White wants
- Finish development and only then decide between c4 and dxc5
- Play c4 to fix Black's centre if Black is slow to resolve the tension
- Use the extra kingside space once the pieces are coordinated
What Black wants
- Play ...c5 and ...Nc6 to concentrate pressure on d4
- Time ...cxd4 to open lines; the remaining e5 pawn means d4 is not automatically isolated
- Develop the kingside with ...Nge7 and ...Nf5
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
Let Black commit in the centre
White keeps the c5–d4 tension while developing Be2, Be3 and the king. Holding the tension preserves choices; dxc5 may let Black's f8 bishop develop by recapturing. Neither choice is automatic: compare piece activity and the remaining pawn chain.
Common mistake
Resolving the centre simply to avoid calculating it. dxc5 can be sound, but ...Bxc5 develops a bishop; keeping the tension also requires defending d4. Choose the exchange for a concrete reason rather than assuming either structure wins itself.
Representative position
The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.
r2qkbnr/pp3ppp/2n1p3/2ppPb2/3P4/4BN2/PPP1BPPP/RN1Q1RK1 b kq - 3 7
Analyze this position