Classical 4...Bf5 is variation 1 of 6 in the Caro-Kann Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO B19). It runs 26 moves and begins 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 …. Black takes on e4 and develops the bishop to f5. White chases it with Ng3 and h4-h5; Black answers with ...h6 and ...Bh7, trades the bishop on d3, and gets a solid position with ...e6, ...Ngf6, ...Be7 and ...O-O. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre and frees the queen and the f1 bishop.
1... c6 – The Caro-Kann: Black prepares ...d5 with pawn support while keeping the c8 bishop's diagonal open.
2. d4 – White builds the classical two-pawn centre.
2... d5 – Black challenges e4 at once, backed by the c6 pawn.
3. Nc3 – The knight defends e4 and develops.
3... dxe4 – Black gives up the centre for a moment to free the c8 bishop with tempo on the e4 knight.
4. Nxe4 – White recaptures and has a nice central knight.
4... Bf5 – The Classical: the bishop develops outside the pawn chain with tempo on the e4 knight.
5. Ng3 – The knight attacks the f5 bishop, forcing it to move again.
5... Bg6 – The bishop stays on the b1-h7 diagonal, where it is the strongest.
6. h4 – White threatens h5, which would chase the bishop off its good diagonal.
6... h6 – Black prepares ...Bh7 so that after h5 the bishop has a safe square.
7. Nf3 – White develops and controls e5.
7... Nd7 – Black prepares ...Ngf6 and stops Ne5, which would hit the g6 bishop.
8. h5 – White gains space and forces the bishop to h7.
8... Bh7 – The only good square; the bishop remains on the long diagonal.
The lesson goes on for 10 more moves, each with its explanation.
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