The Panov-Botvinnik Attack: Move by Move
D'Costa, LorinA pupil of mine recently remarked to me: “It’s really hard to get an attacking position against the Caro-Kann. It’s
so solid and boring.” When I say “pupil”, I mean my 32 year-old friend Dave, who is rated around 2000, and he
did mention this to me over a beer whilst relaxing in the evening during a chess tournament, but you get the
idea.
The Caro-Kann is certainly not boring, but it is, indeed, a tough nut to crack. Most players have their
fashionable lines against the Sicilian or the French, but struggle for an active line against the Caro-Kann. That is
why the Panov is an appealing choice for the attacking or tactical player: straight from the off you get far more
open positions than in other lines against the Caro, and without being bogged down with 25 moves of theory that
the average Caro player probably knows in the so-called ‘main lines’.
In this book we will explore exactly the types of position you may get as a Panov player. White cannot claim
any significant advantage in some lines (and let’s face it, no line against the rock-solid Caro-Kann can claim to),
but it’s all about the types of position you are reaching; attacking positions that Caro players simply don’t like.
Other books on the Caro-Kann describe the Panov as something like: “A risky way to play, as White takes no
positional measures.” We can let them think this; White is not as all-in as these black players think.
This book is not so much a repertoire book as a demonstration of the various ideas and plans that White
has available in the Panov-Botvinnik. Most of the time I have advocated isolated queen’s pawn (IQP) positions,
but in terms of hard theory, I have offered the reader a chance to pick and choose their favourite variations
within each chapter so as to allow for their own ‘tailor made’ Panov repertoire. I would like to make one thing
clear: sharp and attacking positions are generally favoured if possible, as well as plenty of surprise weapons you
might want to utilize every now and then.