Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c6/2. d4/2...d5/3. f3

= Caro–Kann Defence: Fantasy Variation =

3. f3
White bolsters their e-pawn and hopes to obtain a full pawn centre and a half-open f-file should Black take on e4. It has been used by Alexander Morozevich, the second-highest ranked player in the world (July 2008), with success. It can lead to original positions or transpose to the Steinitz Variation of the French Defence with the moves 3...e6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. e5 Nfd7 6. f4 c5. The main independent line is 3...dxe4 4. fxe4 e5 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Bc4 Nd7. Here Black's sixth move is essential; any move which fails to defend the e5 pawn would be a mistake due to Bxf7+ followed by Nxe5+ and Nxg4. If Black wishes to avoid taking on e4, other independent tries include 3...Qb6 (without or with a delayed ...e6) and 3...g6.