Bronstein-Larsen Variation

After 4...Nf6 5. Nxf6+, Black recaptures toward the edge with 5...gxf6 instead of the more common 5...exf6. The kingside pawns are left doubled on the f-file with an isolated h-pawn, but the e7-pawn stays on its square and the f6-pawn covers e5, so Black keeps more central influence than in the Tartakower lines. The half-open g-file gives a rook an early target, and the dark-squared bishop can later be activated with ...Bh6. Because the kingside is too loose for the king, Black usually castles queenside, which produces more dynamic play than the Caro-Kann normally offers.

The line is generally rated as less sound than 5...exf6. Engines give White a slight edge, and White scores a little better in the database. Bent Larsen used it successfully in the 1970s. The usual reply is 6. Nf3, ahead of 6. c3, which secures d4, and the less common 6. Bc4.