Lesson
White to move. Main line: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 c5 6. O-O Nc6 7. Be3
Black’s 3...Bf5 is the main structural achievement of the Caro-Kann. The bishop leaves c8 before ...e6 closes its diagonal, avoiding the passive piece that Black often has to solve in the French Defense.
White develops and castles while Black challenges d4 with ...c5. Be3 reinforces the center and connects the pieces, but it also signals that White must decide whether to maintain the pawn chain, exchange on c5 or support it with c3.
Space is useful only when the advanced pawns remain secure. White can build a kingside initiative behind e5; Black targets d4 and later considers ...f6. Comparing this structure with the French Advance makes the value of the active f5-bishop especially clear.