Caro-Kann Defense, Bronstein-Larsen Variation

After the Caro-Kann begins with ...c6 and ...d5, Black exchanges the d-pawn for White's e4-pawn and White's knight recaptures on e4. Black then brings the other knight to f6. The Bronstein-Larsen Variation appears when White's knight captures on f6 with check and Black recaptures with the pawn from g7, written ...gxf6. The immediate result is two black pawns on the f-file, known as doubled pawns, and a half-open g-file for Black: Black no longer has a pawn on that file, although White's g2-pawn remains.

What ...gxf6 changes

• Black gains activity: a rook can use the half-open g-file to pressure g2 and, if White castles kingside by moving the king and h1-rook in one move, create threats in that area. The f6-pawn also controls e5 and g5.
• White gains targets: Black's king may be more exposed, and the f6-pawn can be attacked. If Black fails to create active play, the damaged structure can become a lasting disadvantage.

The Tartakower Variation recaptures with ...exf6. It also creates doubled pawns, but keeps the g-pawn and usually produces a more compact structure. The Karpov Variation plays ...Nd7 before ...Nf6 and can sometimes recapture with a knight, avoiding a change to the pawn structure.