Caro-Kann Defense · B10

Breyer Variation, Stein Attack

1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 g6 4. Ngf3 Bg7 5. g3 e5 6. Bg2 Ne7 7. O-O O-O 8. b4

The pawns on d5 and e4 stand in direct tension - the first player to resolve it chooses the structure. White's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal and Black's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... c6 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Caro-Kann Defense.
• 2. d3 Supports the centre, adding control of e4. Theory calls this the Breyer Variation.
• 2... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.

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