To Bibs,

I apologize to Bibs, and anyone else (including GM Wells), who may have been offended by my typographical error regarding his name.

I, otherwise, try to stick with the facts as they appear to me. I understand that my own filter can always be a point of contention, even then. Nothing is new under the sun!

Regarding my comment on Wells' book: 
Wells "does not cover this line with near the same degree of thoroughness that Houska does." remains a fact based on my understanding. I can not and do not comment on any other aspect of Wells' book. 

I guess the fact that I've bought the book and have referred to it must give the astute reader some idea of how much I value the work of GM Wells. In fact, I think he is a fine chess author. Actually, I feel fortunate to have two dedicated chess professionals, like Houska and Wells, informing me about my chosen defense. I have no regrets about my chess book purchases in any case.

And for the record:
My understanding is based on p.18 of Wells' book, Game 2, in the notes to 11.Bf4. 

I think I'll take a stab at my own question since it, in hindsight, appears to be a poor one.  

17...Rac8 develops a piece and avoids any potential loss of tempo with, say 17...Bxc5 18.Bc3 Be7. Also, the c5 pawn can't be saved. Finally 17...Rac8 invites b2-b4 when a7-a5 is at least slightly better for Black. 

In essence, it might be a "developing, save a tempo, wait to see what the opponent is going to play" type of move. 

I've looked around for the same positions in other Caro Kann sources. 13.Kb1 is not a common move with the position in question. Neither is it critical according to Neil MacDonald, p.88 of Main Line Caro Kann. He likes 13.Qe2 but says Black is still fine after that move. 

The position after Black's 12th and the moves that lead up to it seem to be very important though, according to MacDonald.

Well's does not cover this line with near the same degree of thoroughness that Houska does.

Thanks! My nose was so close to it I couldn't see that simple transposition and minor error. This is what I love about Chesspublishing -- the power of the Forum!

I think I've spotted another error in Jovanka Houska's very good book on the Caro Kann. See page 15, in the note to 17.0-0-0 for line a) "18. 0-0 transposes to 17.0-0-0" 

This transposition is impossible, is it not? Can someone, preferably the author or someone close to her, point out what was intended here? Thank you, in advance.

Maybe some other erudite Caro Kann players can read between the lines here!

Any book that is 100% error-free is probably as rare as the Hope diamond. I still think the author's book is a very very fine piece of work from what I have read thus far.

I've been going through this book as carefully as I can and find it to be a very very good read so far. I'm a few pages short of finishing the main line 11.Bf4 and 11.Bd2. If you go through all the text, and not just portions of immediate interest to you, with your thinker engaged you will find that the author does not leave the reader without explanations. They come in the form or text or examples.

However, I've noticed, what appears to be, according to one chess engine, a mistake in the analysis. It is found on page 48, left column, near the bottom. In line b) the 22nd move is 22...Nf6 "and Black is very comfortable" I think is an error. Black has to capture with the pawn in the center instead of making the move 22...Nf6.

Have I got this right? By the way, has anyone else noticed anything like this in the book? I suspect there are very few errors of this sort.

Quote:


My old volume 1 has the position after 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 correct, however volumes 2-5 have the same position with a reverse image.  (It looks like 1.Nc3 Nc6 2.f4 at first, until you realize the king and queen are reversed.)  Volume 1a and 1b do not have a move for either side, but the king and queen are in the right place this time.

This is very strange!  My copy of the book has the pawn on c6, so I don't know how to explain the publicity shot.  Maybe this is some rare early copy?

Some reviews of the book:

Seagaard:

http://seagaard.dk/review/eng/bo_opening_caro_kann/ev_play_the_caro_kann.asp?KAT...

John Elburg:

http://chessbooks.nl/elburg111.html