My initial impression of the book is quite positive. Not enough quality illustrative games for my taste (and the ones that are presented all run a little too smoothly for Black; you're unlikely to get a sense of the really problematic lines or ideas), but the book does well to shine a light on some lines that haven't been well covered at all, eg 3...c5 in the Advance.

The repertoire is pretty uncompromising, with fighting lines chosen in all instances. If you play the Caro to put up a solid front and tempt White to overreach, then this may not be for you. If you're looking for something a bit spicier, this repertoire may well be to your taste.

Initial impression is very good. I played the Caro Kann for a brief time using the books by Khalifman and Gallagher but felt that I needed better resources, which was hard to find at the time. This one might make me start to play 1...c6 again.

lnn2 wrote on 04/17/07 at 01:40:00:


I guess that was the only way to make this opening look sexy 

Disappointing absence of any reference on there to our recent game in the 4NCL. Still, she seems to have been going very well recently.

Hello,

This "Play the" series seems to be an exception, Yelena Dembo has written one on the Grunfeld.  Should be a worthwhile book, her middle game books are very good.

Bye John S

slates wrote on 04/14/07 at 21:46:29:

You're welcome

Yes, thanks for the review!  It sounds like I'll be buying this book, but one question: which other book in the Play the... series would you compare this to?  Is it more like Chris Ward's Play the Queen's Gambit or maybe Dearing's Play the Nimzo-Indian?  Perhaps it's most similar to Gallagher's book on the KID?  I ask because there does seem to be a fair amount of difference between the level/quality of analysis, format, etc. of the books in this series.

Hi everyone,

I know that many of you have been curious about Jovanka Houska's new book "Play the Caro Kann."  I received my copy yesterday, and since it arrived on a Friday afternoon I've had a chance to spend quite a few hours with it.  I thought I'd share my thoughts in a review. I'll preface my review by admitting that I am not a strong enough player to critically evaluate the accuracy of her analysis.  Nevertheless, I think I can give a good idea of the content, format, and repertoire choice.   


Contents

Bibliography (Includes 10 books and 8 periodicals)
Introduction (4 pages)

1.      Main Line: Introduction and 11.Bf4  (29 pages)
2.      Main Line:  11.Bd2  (14 pages)
3.      Main Line:  Bc$ and Early Deviations  (19 pages)
4.      Panov-Botvinnik Attack:  Introduction and 6.Nf3  (26 pages)
5.      Panov-Botvinnik Attack:  6.Bg5  (13 pages)
6.      Exchange Variation  (10 pages)
7.      Advance Variation with 3…c5:  Introduction (12 pages)
8.      Advance Variation:  3…c5 4dxc5  (20 pages)
9.      Fantasy Variation  (5 pages)
10.      Panov's Little Brother:  2.c4  (13 pages)
11.      Two Knight's Variation  (17 pages)
12.      King's Indian Attack  (11 pages)
13.      Unusual Lines and the Plain Bizarre  (8 pages)

Index of Variations

---------------------------------------------       
 
 
The book is 208 pages and is organized in a variation-tree format.  For those who are looking for a book that explains ideas and variations, I think this book will be well received.  At the beginning of each chapter Houska introduces the variation with a discussion of important themes before moving to the theory.  Just to provide two examples:

1.  Chapter 1 on the classical includes discussion on a) The Centre, b)  The h-pawn: Curse or Blessing, and c)  Good piece/Bad Piece.  Even further into the chapter she highlights important concepts.  After branch C (15. 0-0-0 Ngf6) she provides the subheadings "How to Fight in the Centre with …b7-b5!", "Dealing with White's g2-g4 attack", and "'Improving' Moves and Transpositions."  I can't think of another repertoire book that takes the time deep into a variation to move away from the theory and explain important concepts.   

2.  Chapter 4 on the Panov Attack begins with fairly lengthy discussions on the following topics:  a) Activity vs. Structure, b) The Four Knights Variation: Pawn Structures and Tabiyas (under this topic there are examples of ideal positions, illustrations of the various tabiyas, discussions on subtopics like "The e-file blockade" in the 10.d5 Nd4 11.b5+ variation.)

This type of discussion appears in every chapter where appropriate and serves as an excellent guide to the variation under consideration.      

Houska says "I have very much tried to write this book exactly how I like books to be written - with plenty of explanation of ideas and basic principles, along with some new theory!  On the whole I have tended to avoid lines where I feel Black only has the chance of playing for 'two results' (a loss or a draw) and instead chosen lines with 'three results' on offer." (p.8)   

This leads me to the topic of her repertoire choices.  While some may have a personal preference for the Smyslov Variation against 3.Nc3, I don't think anyone can quibble with the rock solid Classical Variation.  She provided three chapters on it, and the reader should find herself well prepared to take on this line.  Her lines in the Panov-Botvinnik Attack (5…Nc6) are by her own admission riskier than the more common 5…e6 lines.  However, she feels that Black should take the ambitious approach of developing her pieces.  In the conclusion to the chapter she states that in the 11.Qd1 line "Black must be prepared to sacrifice a piece to displace the white king." (p.96).  Statistically, this line seems fine, but the Caro-Kann player may prefer to sail calmer waters.

The most controversial choice is the 3…c5 Advance.  This choice certainly avoids a mountain of theory on the Short system and the aggressive Nc3/g4 system and provides fertile ground for investigation and experimentation.  Her main line continues 4.dxc5 e6 5.Be3 Nh6.  This move gives White the option of taking the knight and doubling the h-pawns.  While Houska provides ample argumentation that this move is playable for Black, many Caro-Kann players who love the defense for its solidity may not feel comfortable a pawn down with a wrecked kingside pawn structure.  In addition many who play the Caro-Kann may have been attracted to it by the strength of Black's position against the Advance with 3….Bf5.  Nevertheless, this book provides excellent coverage of the 3…c5 Advance, and this variation may provide either a welcome respite from the theoretical battles of 3…Bf5 or an easier transition into the Caro-Kann for those taking up the defense for the first time.

Finally, I am extremely impressed by Houska's writing style and her general tone.  So often in opening books I get the feeling that the author is either trying to sell me a book on an opening that she cares little about or trying to oversell a dubious opening.  This is certainly not the case with "Play the Caro-Kann."  Houska has an accessible, conversational style, and she clearly loves the Caro-Kann and opening study in general.  I look forward to more books by this talented author (maybe a book on the Caro Advance 3…Bf5 ?).  Hope this review helps.

Scott