English Chess Forum

Does anyone who plays the Caro-Kann fear 2Ne2? I've seen some explosive games at GM level, and having played the French myself, I feel familiar with some of the lines. But as is always the case, those trying to sell or promote a given variation often emit the critical tests of it.

The main advantage it seems to have is that it pulls Caro-Kann out of more familiar setups, as after 1 e4 c6, 2 Ne2 d5, 3 e5 a main reponse here for black is c5, but I'm sure at club level those who play the Caro-Kann won't want to then push their beloved c-pawn on again, and choose something more passive instead.

Think (hope anyway!) most caro players, even at club level, are used to the idea of going c5 once white goes e5.

I think Nigel Short played a few games in this line, I seem to remember watching them on his greatest hits DVD’s - from what I remember the c-pawn was pushed again by black and the position ended up looking like a French advanced

The following exciting game won the prize for 'game of the round' at Liverpool 2008.

[Event "Liverpool ch-BCF"] [Site "?"] [Date "2008.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Surtees, Mike"] [Black "Houska, Jovanka"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "2405"] [ECO "B10"] [NIC "CK 1.3"] [WhiteElo "2182"] 1.e4 c6 2.Ne2 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4 cxb4 5.d4 Nc6 6.a3 e6 7.axb4 Bxb4+ 8.c3 Ba5 9.Ng3 Nge7 10.Nh5 O-O 11.Bg5 Qc7 12.Rxa5 Qxa5 13.Nxg7 f5 14.Nh5 Ng6 15.Nf6+ Kh8 16.Nxh7 Qc7 17.Nxf8 Nxf8 18.Bf6+ Kg8 19.g4 f4 20.Bd3 b5 21.g5 b4 22.Qh5 Ne7 23.g6 1-0

lol, I think we've all been following Andrew Martin on line haven't we? Aside from these great games it would be nice to hear from Caro-Kann players if they find the line troubling. At club level I've often noticed that variations that are untypical for the opening often cause problems even though they are not necessarily the soundest. Anyone who's played the Kopec system with white against the Sicilian will know what I mean.