Caro Kann Breyer variation

[MJMcCready]

What's the main reason why people play 1. e4 e6 2. d3? Is it just to avoid theory? Do any GM's play this with regularity? Did anyone ever?

[John Upham]

What's the main reason why people play 1. e4 e6 2. d3? Is it just to avoid theory? Do any GM's play this with regularity? Did anyone ever?

Presumably as a route toward a King's Indian Attack.

The KIA is particularly favoured in lines where Black has not played e5 in one move so ...e6 will suit the KIA player.

[NickFaulks]

Is this about the French or the CK?

[Jon D'Souza-Eva]

I sometimes play 2.d3 against the Caro-Kann in online bullet and blitz games but only with the intention of playing this dodgy and very well known trap:
1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Ng5 exd3 5. Bxd3 Nf6 6. Nxf7 Kxf7 7. Bg6+ hxg6 8. Qxd8

[Peter Ackley]

Is this about the French or the CK?

I think the point is there are lines with ... c6 and ... d5 where black plays ... e6 which could equally arise via ... e6, ... d5 and ... c6.

As someone who plays 1.Nf3 I sometimes get Breyer variation (or variationesque) positions via transposition. The honest answer as to why I like them is:
(a) I like the structure as white
(b) it's not as theoretical as the mainlines and I don't have the time to devote to learning reams of theory
(c) black players sometimes find the positions less to their taste compared to the main line.

It doesn't mean I think the line is best as white - indeed with unlimited time and resources I'd quite like to be playing the advance vs the Caro Kann - but Breyer structures suit where I am in my life, and chess life, right now.

[John Upham]

As someone who plays 1.Nf3 I sometimes get Breyer variation (or variationesque) positions via transposition.

The plus side of attempting a Breyer / KIA via 1.Nf3 is that a 1.e4 move order allows 1...d5 which is not so convenient for the KIA player.

[John Upham]

I sometimes play 2.d3 against the Caro-Kann in online bullet and blitz games but only with the intention of playing this dodgy and very well known trap:
1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Ng5 exd3 5. Bxd3 Nf6 6. Nxf7 Kxf7 7. Bg6+ hxg6 8. Qxd8

What is White doing after 5...Nd7 rather than 5...Nf6?

[Matt Mackenzie]

Like many such openings, it can be dangerous if Black hasn't prepared for it or takes things casually.

Leonid Stein got some nice wins with it as White, back in the day.

[MJMcCready]

What's the main reason why people play 1. e4 e6 2. d3? Is it just to avoid theory? Do any GM's play this with regularity? Did anyone ever?

Presumably as a route toward a King's Indian Attack.

The KIA is particularly favoured in lines where Black has not played e5 in one move so ...e6 will suit the KIA player.

That's what I initially thought as well as main line theory avoidance.

[MJMcCready]

Like many such openings, it can be dangerous if Black hasn't prepared for it or takes things casually.

Leonid Stein got some nice wins with it as White, back in the day.

Thanks, I like him, I will take a look.

[John Upham]

Vide https://www.chess.com/openings/Caro-Kan ... 3-Bd6-5.g3

[MJMcCready]

Thanks.

[MJMcCready]

Is this about the French or the CK?

I think the point is there are lines with ... c6 and ... d5 where black plays ... e6 which could equally arise via ... e6, ... d5 and ... c6.

As someone who plays 1.Nf3 I sometimes get Breyer variation (or variationesque) positions via transposition. The honest answer as to why I like them is:
(a) I like the structure as white
(b) it's not as theoretical as the mainlines and I don't have the time to devote to learning reams of theory
(c) black players sometimes find the positions less to their taste compared to the main line.

It doesn't mean I think the line is best as white - indeed with unlimited time and resources I'd quite like to be playing the advance vs the Caro Kann - but Breyer structures suit where I am in my life, and chess life, right now.

Thanks, I've had a good look at it and found some of Leonid Stein's games with it. He always plays b4 and then often fianchettoes the queen's Bishop. Is this an important thing to do in that opening? Why?