I am looking for an opening line against the Caro-Kann that would ideally allow me to force a sharp position out of the opening.
Assume my opponent does not oblige me, i.e. will actively seek to respond with moves that steer the opening towards one that is more positional/solid.
(I have no problem with gambits and the such, but they have to be sound/playable.)
Thanks to all who provide their suggestions!
Take a look at Panov-Botvinnik Attack (1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4). It allows white to reach open positions with potential for sharper tactical play.
What about 1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 f3 ?
tal line is interesting
e4 c6 d4 d5 e5 bf5 h4 h5 bg5 qb6 nf3 bd3 qd3 qb2 e6
have had this against a gm before (and won)
Most of variations from advance (3 e5)
If you want to force a sharp line against the Caro-Kann the Panov which was recommended above is an option but offers black very different responses and you would need to learn all of them.
The h4-variation of the Advance which was recommended too offers less options for black, but you need to prepare c5 instead of Bf5 too.
If you want to select the variation earlier you can opt for the well scoring Pseudo-Panov with 2. c4. Black usually needs to sacrifice a center pawn and has to play precise to get it back, otherwise he is lost quickly. Black can only really deviate with the rare 2. c4 e5. There are two branches in the Pseudo-Panov (which is nice because you can choose) with 5. Qa4+ which is considered to be stronger and 5. Bb5+. The mainline which you can investigate further with the Lichess opening explorer is
1. e4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. cxd5 Nf6 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Nc3 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. Bc4 O-O 9. d3 a6 10. Qa3
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nd2
@AuraZ0 said in #4:
> tal line is interesting
> e4 c6 d4 d5 e5 bf5 h4 h5 bg5 qb6 nf3 bd3 qd3 qb2 e6
> have had this against a gm before (and won)
erm actually its not forced but I like e4 c6 d4 d5 Nd2 dxe4 Nxe4 Nf6 Nxf6 exf6 c3 Bd6 Bd3 0-0 Qc2 Re8+ Ne2 h5 0-0 Nd7 Nf4 h4 Qd1 Nf8 Qh4 g6 Nxg6 and you cook with attack
@kindkingsam said in #8:
> erm actually its not forced but I like e4 c6 d4 d5 Nd2 dxe4 Nxe4 Nf6 Nxf6 exf6 c3 Bd6 Bd3 0-0 Qc2 Re8+ Ne2 h5 0-0 Nd7 Nf4 h4 Qd1 Nf8 Qh4 g6 Nxg6 and you cook with attack
which is also not forced -_-
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6 exf6
