The     1. e4 c6  2. d4 d5 3. e5  Bf5 4. Nc3 a6

They give it    4....a6!?     page  132

And say: " Of all the second move possibilities we consider this move the most interesting. Black takes control of the b5 square and is mainly preparing the break c6-c5.

And they analyse it in four pages.

I have the book in Russian language. I just heard that they have released Karpovs next Caro book now. On the Panov attack . I will order it soon. And they have released Karpovs book "Learn to play the English opening" which I also will order. (In russian language that book also.)

I ordered it from  http://www.bs-chess.com/latin/english.html

What about the book then ?

Well this book looks very fine. Its written by Karpov and Podgaets.

328 pages. 

Chapter 1 : Gambit systems like 3. f3 and much more.

Chapter 2 :  Closed system ,3..Bf5.

Chapter 3 : Closed system , everything except 4 .Nc3 and 4. Nf3.

Chapter 4 : Closed system  4.Nc3.

Chapter 5: Closed system  4. Nf3 (Short system).


The book looks like a very  good job. I suspect they have worked with it for long as Podgaets was intending to write a book on the Caro-Kann for a long time (gambit publications). Why did Podgaets abandom Gambit publication ? Thats an interesting question. He chosed to write with Karpov for a russian publisher ( www.chessm.ru ). 

They write in the book that this book shall not be seen as a definite winning book for black /Caro-Kann.
But rather a book which will help the black player a lot. They tell us not to be afraid to go in and fight in the worst complicated position in the 4. Nc3 variation. Just study the chapter carefully.
 
Very good psycology !!

In the end I must say this is a MUST book for the hardened Caro-Kann player. I can not recall a book on the Caro-Kann that is better.



This is not a repertoire book á la Watson. The book has a good mix of variations and text.

I think the book will be released in english  soon. 

Look here : http://www.chrysalisbooks.co.uk/book/0713490101

July 25    2006 according to Batsford.

Does anyone know the status of these books?  Amazon had them listed as available May 28, but they've since been delayed, and I can't find any information at the Batsford website...

Wells's book looks as though it's going to be quite short, which is a shame.

And to play conspiracy theorist: what do we make of last year's canceled book on the Caro from Karpov's former second, Podgaets?  Is it strange that Karpov should now have two books on the Caro, or do we chalk it up to Gambit balking because they knew Karpov's were in the works?  According to www.ruschess.com, the new closed system and gambit Caro book is attributed to both Karpov and Podgaets...

I quite enjoyed reading his book on the Petroff. A bit after that I picked the Grünfeld book from the same series as my book prize after a tournament and was rather disappointed in comparison. The Petroff book did convey a nice feeling for the opening, while I just didn't seem to get much except for dry analysis out of the Grünfeld book (quite possibly the analysis was good, but it was just not inspiring or interestingly presented).

Who is the actual author of this work? How many times has a "celebrity" player walked into a bookstall and thpught "Did I write that?"

For example The Kings Gambit allegedly by Korchnoi and Zak springs to mind.

John

It is due out this coming March. I guess it deals with the closed Caro. If it is anything like his 'The Caro in Black & White' we should be in for a real treat. It will also interesting to see what Karpov comes up with!