Richter-Veresov: 3...Bf5 overview

Richter-Veresov: 3…Bf5

Definition

The move 3…Bf5 is a specific branch of the Richter-Veresov Attack, an opening that starts with 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5. Instead of the more popular replies 3…e6 or 3…Nbd7, Black immediately develops the queen’s-bishop to f5, answering pin with pin and aiming to contest the e4-square at once.

Typical Move Order

The critical first moves are:

• 1. d4 d5
• 2. Nc3 Nf6
• 3. Bg5 Bf5

This can be compactly viewed here:

Strategic Purpose and Key Ideas

• Early piece activity. By placing the bishop on f5, Black develops with tempo, eyes the c2-square, and keeps the diagonal c8-h3 open—something that often remains blocked for a long time in Queen’s Pawn games.
• Control of e4. Much like the Caro-Kann Defence’s …Bf5 idea, Black discourages White from quickly playing e2-e4, which is one of the Veresov’s main ambitions.
• Balanced pawn structure. Black preserves the central pawn chain (d5/e6 or d5/c6, depending on later choices) and avoids the doubled c-pawns that occasionally arise after 3…e6 4. e4.
• Pin counter-pin motif. After 3. Bg5, White pins the f6-knight; 3…Bf5 creates a symmetrical pin on c2 or e4, aiming to neutralise White’s pressure.
• Potential middlegame plans. Black often follows with …e6, …Be7, …Nbd7, and castles short, or adopts a Slav-like setup with …c6 and …Qb6, turning up the heat on the queenside.

Main Continuations for White

1. 4. f3

   A modern try to bolster e4. Intended continuation: 4…Nbd7 5. e4 dxe4 6. fxe4 Bg6 when the game resembles a sharper French or Caro-Kann structure.

2. 4. Bxf6

   Exchanges the knight to inflict doubled pawns after 4…exf6. Black gains the two bishops and a half-open e-file.

3. 4. e3

   Quiet development. Black can equalise comfortably with …e6 and …Nbd7.

4. 4. Qd2

   The “Trifunovic plan,” intending long castling and a kingside pawn storm; Black usually replies …e6 and …Nbd7.

Historical Background

The Richter-Veresov Attack is named after the German master Kurt Richter and the Belarusian-Soviet International Master Gavriil Veresov, who popularised 1. d4 Nc6 2. Nf3 or 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3. The specific 3…Bf5 line, however, only began to gain regular practical tests in the late 20th century when theoreticians noticed its solid Caro-Kann-like pedigree.

An early notable outing was Fischer – Larsen, Buenos Aires Olympiad 1960, where Bent Larsen essayed 3…Bf5 and reached a dynamically equal position before eventually losing in the endgame. More recently, elite players such as Levon Aronian, Anish Giri, and Daniil Dubov have adopted the move as a surprise weapon in rapid and blitz events.

Illustrative Game

Aronian vs. Giri, Tata Steel Masters 2021 (blitz, abbreviated):

The game showed how Black’s queenside counterplay can flare up quickly once the central tension is resolved.

Typical Middlegame Themes

• Minor-piece imbalances. If White trades bishop for knight on f6, Black strives to exploit the two bishops in open positions.
• Queenside expansion. Plans with …c5 and …Qb6 put persistent pressure on b2 and d4.
• e-file pressure. After …exf6 recaptures, Black may place a rook on e8 and target White’s backward e-pawn.
• Opposite-side castling races. In lines with 4. Qd2 and O-O-O, sharp attacks can arise. Black’s early bishop development often grants an extra tempo for counterplay.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Grandmaster Simon Williams (“Ginger GM”) jokingly calls 3…Bf5 “the cheeky bishop move,” noting that Black says, “Two can play at that pinning game!”
• Because of the Caro-Kann–like bishop placement, some databases tag the line under “Pseudo-Caro vs. Veresov.”
• In online bullet chess, 3…Bf5 scores exceptionally well due to its surprise value and the immediate threat of …c5 or …Ne4 against an unprepared opponent.

Practical Tips

• Players of the Caro-Kann or Slav who already feel at home after …Bf5 can adopt this line with minimal theoretical study.
• If you face 4. f3, don’t panic: calmly reinforce the centre with …Nbd7 and pick the right moment to break with …e5 or …c5.
• After 4. Bxf6 exf6, remember to castle early; the half-open e-file is your friend only if your king is safe.

Summary

3…Bf5 in the Richter-Veresov is a flexible, strategically healthy choice that neutralises White’s early pin and grabs an active post for Black’s light-squared bishop. It blends Caro-Kann solidity with Queen’s Gambit flair, offering Black practical chances to seize the initiative and steer the game into less-theoretical channels.