Hi all, this is my first post here. I have a question regarding a certain position in the Caro-Kann exchange variation - I have some thoughts on various plans in this position and I wondered if anybody could comment on which is likely to give Black good chances or if there is a plan I hadn't considered.

After 1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. d4 Bg4 5. Be2 e6 6. O-O Nf6 7. c3 Bd6 8. h3 Bh5 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Nh2 Bxe2 11. Qxe2 Nc6 12. Ndf3

I know that White hasn't played the opening particularly energetically, the knight manoeuvres seem a bit odd and with the light squared bishops off I should be okay on the kingside.

The plans I've considered:
1. Queenside minority attack
I feel I could start this plan with lots of moves.. Qc7, Qa5, Rb8, a6 or Na5. I'd be interested to know how other people would go about this, it seems that White can put a damper on things with a4 regardless of which move I start with after which b5 doesn't seem like such a good plan anymore and occupation of the weakened b3 and c4 squares seems to be called for.

2. Central play
This is an option I wouldn't usually consider given that I have the open c-file to use but the lack of light squared bishop and the desire to interfere with White's plusses such as the e-file and e5 outpost suggests Ne4, possibly followed by f5. If White plays f3 the dark squares around his King may become quite weak. I might even play Ne4 and follow up with f6 and e5 though I worry that d5 may be weak after this.

I can see good and bad points of both, I need guidance - especially if you have tried this before!

Regards,
Karl