Hi folks

After 1.c4 c6 2.e4 e5 
and now 3.Nf3
( a previous post mentioned this as the strongest and indeed it  worries me more than 3.Nc3 or 3.d4. I think I would welcome 3.f4 which should show c6 to be more helpful than c4 )

I have now tried the odd-ball  3...f5
a sort of "Improved Latvian Gambit" 

I first saw this in John Watson series of books on the English opening

4.Nxe5 Qf6
4.d4 fe 5.Nxe5 Nf6

Any thoughts ?

Hmmm I thing I get it.. I have the feeling that most caro players think that the best try for white to get an advantage is the panov to which I - who can only be white in a caro - would never play strangely enough.. 

I started using 1.c4 c6 as an occasional sideline to my main repertoire about a decade ago.  Benko used that move order a few times, so I decided to give it a try.   

I have been amazed that even against opponents who know my opening repertoire, I rarely (almost never) see 2.e4.  Yes, I am well prepared for it, but 2.e4 is the most direct attempt to refute Black's move order.   

In my experience, both online and otb, 1...c6 is an excellent weapon for the Slav player against the English.  I highly recommend it, but suggest switching up every now and again just to keep your opponents on their toes.

BTW, I have recently seen 2300-2500 rated players use 2.e4 a bit more.  It may just be a fluke but it could be the beginnings of a trend.

@Cyronix:

What about trying 1...Nf6 against 1.c4? Then if 2.g3 or 2.Nf3, play 2...c6.
(However, one problem I can think of is if 2.Nc3 c6, then 3.e4....)

yea I too struggle with the English as a slav/semi slav player. I try to play Hedgehog/Symmetrical Four Knights stuff but I find there is too many transpositions to sicillians! I'm going to start trying out the c6 ideas in correspondence and see how it goes.

Antillian wrote on 05/07/08 at 19:40:55:

Might transpose to an Old-Indian - not the first thing I would recommend to someone who plays some Slav.

Is there something wrong with 1. c4 c6 2. e4 e5 ?

No after 1.c4 c6 2. e4 you have to play ... d5.
this other indian stuff also with pawn already committed to c6 is not really good.

Actually I don't think that the panov is too bad for black,
you can also play that with ... g6, on top level the 1.e4 players normally chose the classical or the advance, but not the panov attack.
You are quite solid and still have chances with a g6 setup,
The only line I still dislike and a normal carocann player can also face is 

1. e4 c6 
2. c4 d5 
3. cxd exd 
4. exd Nf6 
5. Qa4+ Nb-d7

and white keeps the pawn on d5, still these are 2 double isolated pawns, but in practice it's still not so easy ...

but on top level noone plays this somehow,
so it can't be really good, but I still have not found the antidote. 
But still some 2600s play this line.