---------------------------------------
8 | #R |#Kt |#B  | #Q | #K | #B |#Kt | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P | #P |    |    | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 |    |    |    |    | #P |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
5 |    |    |    | #P |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
4 |    |    |    | ^P | ^P |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
3 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P |    |    | ^P | ^P |^P  |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R |^Kt | ^B | ^Q | ^K | ^B |^Kt |^R  |
---------------------------------------
A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H

Diag. 27

and P-QB3 (Caro-Kann defence).  After 2.  P-Q4, P-Q4, we attain the positions set out in the Diagrams 27 and 28, to which we must devote a good deal of attention.

These openings are worthy of study as being especially interesting examples of the struggle for the centre.

As early as the third move, White has to take an important decision.  Is he to play P-K5 and prevent the opening of

---------------------------------------
8 | #R | #Kt| #B | #Q | #K | #B | #Kt| #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P |    |    | #P | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 |    |    | #P |    |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
5 |    |    |    | #P |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
4 |    |    |    | ^P | ^P |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
3 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P |    |    | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | ^Kt| ^B | ^Q | ^K | ^B | ^Kt| ^R |
---------------------------------------
A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H

Diag. 28

the K or Q file for a long time to come, or should he proceed to develop his pieces, and leave Black the option of anticipating the blocking of the centre by playing PxP himself?

I shall first turn my attention to those games in which White plays P-K5, starting with the French Defence, after which the Caro-Kann Defence will be easily understood.

The position which ensues in the centre after 1.  P-K4, P-K3; 2.  P-Q4, P-Q4; 3.  P-K5, divides the board diagonally, and it is easy to recognise roughly the main lines of play which will govern the game.  White has more scope on the King’s side, where his pieces will have greater mobility, and prospects of attack.  Black’s chances are on the Queen’s side.  Both sides will have to advance more pawns in order to obtain openings for their Rooks, and use them for the attack, since they have no future on the K and Q files, as was the case in the openings mentioned hitherto.

The obvious moves to this end are:  for White the advance of the KBP, for Black that of the QBP and sometimes even of the QKtP, that is when the QBP has not been exchanged for the opposing QP, but has pushed on to B5.