How to handle Caro-Kann hillbilly attack variation with black?

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KonigFrederic

I've recently added the caro-kann defense to my repertoire and I realized people often play 2.Bc4 in response.

I googled it and found out that some people consider it a bad response but I've found no refutation to it, what would be the best way to punish the hillbilly attack with black?

KonigFrederic

As far as I noticed, the variation with Bb3 retreating is the best way to avoid the attack on the kingside, pushing the pawn of a7 to a5 to trap the bishop or exchange it later

fedric

I just started playing the hillbilly against the caro-kahn, so was looking for best defenses from black, to prepare for what I might face. In my most recent game, black pushed the a pawn. Did you find anything else?

tygxc

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1806077

 

Toldsted

2.Bc4 is bad, as the Bishop will have to move again after 2...d5 wich is the move Black is preparing with 1...c6.

tygxc

#5
It is a gambit: white gives up a pawn for an attack.
Here is another grandmaster game
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1662720 

Toldsted

#6 Yes, but it is a bad gambit as White doesn't get compensation if Black takes the pawn and Black gets an even game if he doesn't take the pawn.

But anything can be played if the opponent underestimates it - especially in blitz. 

tygxc

#7
Objectively all gambits are bad, but in practice they often score well. In the blitz game #4 Carlsen defeats a strong grandmaster with it. In the grandmaster game #6 white plays badly and loses.

Marcyful

What about Queen's gambit?

Marcyful

As for the Hillbilly... I honestly can't count how many times I've trapped and won white's light square bishop with my d and h pawns. Its just utter garbage.

Stil1

The Bb3 line is pretty easy for black to handle, in my opinion. Black just develops naturally, without much trouble at all.

 

White has much more dangerous ways to attack the Caro-Kann. Some of the mainlines in the Advance, for example, give black a much harder time.

tygxc

#9
Queen's Gambit is no real gambit: black cannot hold the pawn.

#10
You can call Hillbilly garbage and objectively it is, but some grandmasters see it fit to play so lesser mortals should not dismiss it too easily especially not in a fast time control.

tygxc

#11
6 Qh4 as Carlsen played is more active than the retreat 6 Qe2.

Marcyful
tygxc wrote:

#9
Queen's Gambit is no real gambit: black cannot hold the pawn.

#10
You can call Hillbilly garbage and objectively it is, but some grandmasters see it fit to play so lesser mortals should not dismiss it too easily especially not in a fast time control.

This is literally what happened to EVERY single person I played against in blitz and bullet who dared play the Hillbilly.

Marcyful

I understand it could have merit when in the right hands. But trust me, even intermediates can easily get into these losing situations when using the Hillbilly.

tygxc

#14
What is the point of 3 exd5? It obstructs the diagonal of Bb3. 3 Bb3 is more active. If you take 3...dxe4 then the diagonal of Bb3 is open.
4...a5 5 Nc3 is fine for white. You can better develop 4...Nc6.

Marcyful
tygxc wrote:

#14
What is the point of 3 exd5? It obstructs the diagonal of Bb3. 3 Bb3 is more active. If you take 3...dxe4 then the diagonal of Bb3 is open.

Ask my opponents who played the Hillbilly...

KevinOSh

I'm always happy to see White play the hillbilly attack. The nice thing about the Caro-Kann is after you play 1...c6 you can play 2...d5 no matter what your opponent does.

For a few very strange second moves there is a second move for Black that is slightly better, but 2...d5 is a strong move against anything White does, and especially against the Hillbilly attack.