Caro-Kann Two Knights: Bg4 line

Caro-Kann: Two Knights, 3…Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.d4

Definition

The Caro-Kann Two Knights Variation is reached after the moves 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3. Black’s reply 3…Bg4 introduces the specific sub-line examined here. After 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.d4 White establishes a broad pawn center while Black adopts a solid, slightly passive structure that intends …Nd7, …Ngf6, and timely breaks with …c5 or …e5.

Typical Move Order

The critical sequence is:

• 1. e4 c6
• 2. Nc3 d5
• 3. Nf3 Bg4 (the Two Knights, Capablanca line)
• 4. h3 Bxf3 (Black surrenders the bishop pair)
• 5. Qxf3 e6 (reinforces d5 and prepares …Nd7)
• 6. d4 (White grabs space and frees the c1-bishop)

Strategic Ideas

• White’s bishop pair: By forcing 4…Bxf3 White gains the two bishops in an open-game structure. The light-squared bishop often develops to d3 or e2, and the dark-squared bishop to d3, f4, or g5.
• Central space advantage: The pawn duo on e4–d4 gives White space and possibilities for e4-e5 or d4-d5 breaks.
• Black’s solidity: The structure resembles the French Defence but without the bad c8-bishop. Black plans …Nd7, …Ngf6, …Bb4 or …Be7, and counterplay with …c5.
• Pawn tension: Black usually avoids capturing on e4 early because after dxe4 Nxe4 the queen on f3 pressures f7.
• Piece play: Knights may reroute—White’s b1-knight often heads to d2–f1–g3; Black’s c6-knight normally develops via d7.

Historical Context

The line was analyzed by José Raúl Capablanca in the 1920s, who recommended 3…Bg4 as a practical antidote to the fashionable Two Knights system. In modern times it has been employed by solid specialists of the Caro-Kann such as Vassily Smyslov, Anatoly Karpov, and more recently Sergey Karjakin, usually as a surprise weapon.

Critical Continuations for White

1. 7.Bd3 followed by 0-0-0 and g4, a sharp, attacking set-up.
2. 7.Be2 with a quiet plan of 0-0, Re1, Bf1, aiming for e4-e5.
3. 7.g3 and Bg2, entering a Catalan-flavored middlegame.

Sample Game

Short, crisp illustration of typical play:

Famous Encounters

• Gurevich vs. Karpov, Linares 1991 – Karpov equalized smoothly and later won in a queen ending.
• Bruzon vs. Karjakin, Wijk aan Zee 2007 – a theoretical duel where Karjakin steered to a drawn rook ending.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Because 3…Bg4 pins a knight that has already moved, some theoreticians call it a “half-tempo” pin; Black is a tempo behind compared to the analogous pin in the French Winawer.
• Capablanca used the line in a simultaneous exhibition and annotated: “I give up the bishop with pleasure; my pawns will tell the rest of the story.”
• The queen on f3 is occasionally left en prise after 6…dxe4 7.Nxe4, because 7…Qxd4? 8.Be3 traps Black’s queen – a tactical motif beginners often overlook.
• Stockfish gives a small plus for White (+0.35) but practical results in master play are almost equal, showing Black’s structure is quite resilient.

When to Choose This Line

Players who like the French Defence’s pawn chain but dislike the “bad” light-squared bishop will appreciate 3…Bg4. It is most effective as a surprise weapon against e4 players expecting the main line 3…dxe4.

Key Takeaways

• White gains the bishop pair and central space.
• Black obtains a solid, flexible French-like structure without the traditional light-squared bishop problem.
• Both sides must watch the tactical motif on the d4 and f7 squares after Qxf3.
• Accurate piece placement and timely pawn breaks (…c5 or e4-e5) decide the middlegame battle.