My guess is that if you really want a true "Caro-Kann" experience, then the Bf5 Advance would be a must.  I don't mean to imply that Houska's line is unplayable by any means, but I think that true spirit of the Caro-Kann is represented well by the Bf5 lines.

And in blitz games you will probably face the advance frequently, so you'll have a chance to compare the various lines.

Scott

Slates,

Yes, Houska considers 5.Qg4 and suggests the aggressive 5...h5! (her exclamation point).  She claims that Black should play actively and castle queenside in this line.   

I agree with you that the Panov and Advance lines in this book are the ones that are most likely to be criticized.   

Scott

Ptero wrote on 03/29/07 at 20:32:37:


I know very little about the CK, but am interested in this book following Scott's review in a related thread.  But on the lines discussed above, I wonder if the author considers 5.Qg4 which John Watson gives a '!' to in his Mastering the Chess Openings Vol 1, where he gives some very brief analysis of this 'apparently untried' move.  And in the 5...Nh6 line he thinks White has 'a solid advantage' after 6.c3 Nf5 7.Bd4 Nc6 8. Nf3 Qc7 9.Bb5, although he adds that Black can probably improve but is likely to still fall short of equality.   
His verdict on 3...c5 4.dxc5 in the CK Advance is that White's extra tempo outweighs black's 'pleasant pawn-structure'.   

Watson himself doesn't pretend to have given a theoretically accurate summary of these lines, I should add, but rather some guidance that should be 'helpful for the student'

Although I like the idea of trying out the CK using this new book (and I'm a chessbook junkie), I'm also slightly hesitant to start off with a repertoire that may be theoretically difficult in the hands of a lowly newbie such as myself.  Incidentally, JW also painted a less than appealing picture of the move 5...Nc6 in the Panov - I'm sure Jovanka is adept at playing these lines but how well are they holding up in general, and are they explained well enough for a newcomer to the defence to play them well?  JW thinks 5...Nc6 requires Black to play more accurately than White to try to achieve a draw, which he thinks explains most people's leaning towards 5...e6 instead.   

I may still buy the book, as it sounds like a good way to structure an opening book, but it would be interesting to see if these couple of repertoire choices are explained/justified over what appear to be the more well-worn main moves.

I'd like some information on this book, if anyone can give it.  I can't find any reviews or excerpts online, and I've lately thought of adding the Caro-Kann to my repertoire for variety.

I don't know much about the Caro-Kann, but in the Advance line 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.dc, I always figured 4...Nc6 should be best, making White defend the e5-pawn and controlling the b4 square.  Is there a particular reason to prefer 4...e6?

Hi all,
      I believe this book is out in the US. Has anyone seen it ? What is your opinion of it and what does it recommend ?