Queen's Gambit Declined - Carlsbad with ...Be6

The Carlsbad Revolution: Spassky's Forgotten Weapon Returns

When Fabiano Caruana sat down to play the Carlsbad Variation in 2024, he didn't reach for the well-trodden 5...c6. Instead, he played 5...Be6—a move that Boris Spassky had introduced 66 years earlier, then abandoned to history. This isn't just another sideline. It's a complete strategic reboot of one of chess's most debated structures, and it's been hiding in plain sight for decades.

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GM Luca Moroni and GM Pier Luigi Basso have built their course around a simple premise: the Carlsbad doesn't have to be a theoretical maze. While mainstream theory drowns players in endless c6 variations, this system offers something rare—a practical, fighting repertoire that's easier to learn and delivers better winning chances. The authors noticed that after Caruana's lead, players like Andreikin and Bartel began adopting the line, yet it remains almost completely unknown. That gap between emerging practice and established theory is exactly where this course lives.

Why 5...Be6 Changes Everything

The traditional Carlsbad setup demands encyclopedic knowledge of Queen's Gambit Declined structures. Moroni and Basso's approach inverts that burden. By developing the bishop to e6 immediately—before committing to c6—Black gains flexibility and avoids White's most forcing lines. The course demonstrates how this move order disrupts White's plans: after 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Bd3 c6, White must choose between Nf3, Nge2, h3, f3, f4, or Bf4, and Black has appropriate answers to each. Against 8.Nf3 or 8.Nge2, Black deploys the plan with h6, g5, and Nh5. Against 8.f4, sharp complications arise after 8...h6 9.Bh4 g5. The system is quite simple—learn the core ideas, and the variations fall into place.

Both authors bring distinct expertise. Moroni has been refining this repertoire for practical play, while Basso contributes his pedagogical approach through a dedicated quick-explanation video that distills the key concepts into 15 minutes. Their collaboration mirrors their earlier work on the French Defense According to Moroni - Tarrasch, Advance, and Exchange Variations and French Defense According to Moroni - Play the Steinitz Variation, where they explored systems built around clarity rather than memorization.

What's Inside

10 chapters covering all major White responses and sidelines
30 test positions for tactical and strategic training
Memory Booster section for better retention
Quick-start video (15 minutes) by GM Basso
2 hours and 48 minutes of total video instruction
To Go Version for each chapter for quick review
Multilingual PGN files (English, German, French, Spanish)

Map of Variations

After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Be6

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Chapter 1: Introduction and key ideas
Chapter 2: 6.Qb3—White's direct challenge to Be6
Chapter 3: 8.f4—the critical f4-f5 push and g5 counterplay
Chapter 4: 8.Nf3 h6 9.Bh4 g5 10.Bg3 Nh5—bishop pair advantage
Chapter 5: 8.Nge2 h6 9.Bh4 g5 10.Bg3 Nh5—alternative knight route
Chapters 6–8: 8.h3 and White's main responses (Nge2, Nf3, Bf4)
Chapter 9: 8.f3—securing the Bg5 retreat to f2
Chapter 10: 8.Bf4—Robson-Caruana game analysis

The course doesn't promise shortcuts—it promises understanding. Every line is explained through the lens of pawn structures, piece activity, and dynamic potential. The result is a repertoire you can trust in tournament play without endless preparation.

If you've been searching for a Carlsbad system that rewards intuition over memorization, this is it. Spassky saw it in 1958. Caruana revived it in 2024. Now it's your turn to bring the revolution to the board.

INTRODUCTION BY GM LUCA MORONI

Introduction – ? *

D35 Carlsbad Revolution: 5...Be6!? 2025.??.?? [GM Luca Moroni]

1. d4 d5 For me, having something practical against the Carlsbad was never optional — it was a mission. And in this course, we're bringing you one of Black's most straightforward, fighting systems. Some even call it the most practical weapon out there. 2. c4 e6 3. ♘c3 ♘f6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. ♗g5 ♗e6!? Until 2024, nobody played this line — it was completely under the radar. Well, almost nobody. The first one to try it was actually Spassky back in 1958. Can you believe that? What intuition! But then, for decades, silence. Only last year did the fighters step in — Caruana, Andreikin, Bartel — and suddenly this line started popping up everywhere. And here's the thing: it's still largely unknown, which means you can get a massive practical edge. Compared to the mainstream 5...c6 setups, this system is way easier to learn, and it gives you far better winning chances. 6. e3

( 6. ♕b3 White's direct way to exploit our last move, but we have 6… ♘bd7! where taking the pawn on b7 is not good for White. More about this in Chapter 2. )

6… ♘bd7 Our setup will involve classical moves Nbd7 and c6 — but with our bishop already on e6! 7. ♗d3 c6 Now White will choose the setup he wants to adopt. 8. h3 White's most logical move. It stops Black's plan h6-Bh4-g5-Bg3-Nh5, which is available after 8.Nf3 or 8. Nge2.

( 8. f4 a concrete line because White's immediate threat is f4-f5. We will go for the sharp 8… h6 9. ♗h4 g5! and in Chapter 3, we'll have a deep analysis about these very interesting complications. )

( 8. ♘f3 White's most logical move, but now our idea is clear: 8… h6 9. ♗h4 g5 10. ♗g3 ♘h5 we will play with the two bishops. Chapter 4. )

( 8. ♘ge2 Also against this move we will play with the two bishops: 8… h6 9. ♗h4 g5 10. ♗g3 ♘h5 Chapter 5. )

( 8. f3 logical move. White makes sure that the bishop can escape on f2. Chapter 9. )

( 8. ♗f4 This move is famous after the game Robson-Caruana, USA Championship 2024. We'll study it in Chapter 10. )

8… ♗e7 From here, White can choose between Nge2, Nf3, or the rare Bf4 — and we'll break them all down in detail in Chapters 6 to 8. This is a revolutionary way to fight the Carlsbad. And honestly, there's no better time to start playing it than right now — the line is still almost completely unknown. I'm going to use it in a lot of my own games from now on, and I have no doubt you will too. *

SAMPLE CHAPTER

Chapter 4 – 8.Nf3 h6 9.Bh4 g5 10.Bg3 Nh5 *

D35 Carlsbad Revolution: 5...Be6!? 2025.??.?? [GM Pier Luigi Basso]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. ♘c3 ♘f6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. ♗g5 ♗e6 6. e3 ♘bd7 7. ♗d3 c6 8. ♘f3 Important line for us, as it arises after White's most natural moves. 8… h6 We go after the bishop. 9. ♗h4

( 9. ♗xf6 Very harmless, and it hasn't been played yet. 9… ♘xf6

( 9… ♕xf6 Also fine. 10. O-O ♗d6 11. e4 Most logical move against our setup. 11… dxe4 12. ♘xe4 ♕e7⇄ Black has no problems and is just fine. )

10. O-O ♗d6 We simply finish the development. 11. ♘e5 Looks logical, and here we have two options: 11… ♕c8!? Creative approach. We try to exchange bishops.

( 11… O-O Normal continuation. 12. f4 c5⇄ With a good game for Black. )

12. ♕c2 Against Bf5. 12… ♗xe5 13. dxe5 ♘g4 We go after e5 now. f4 is off-limits due to e3 hanging. 14. e4 White has to play against our king somehow. 14… ♘xe5 15. exd5 cxd5 16. ♗b5+ ♘c6 The only sensible way to protect against the check. 17. ♖ad1 White will recapture on d5, and then it will be equal. 17… a6 The most precise way to equalize.

( 17… O-O allows: 18. ♘xd5= This is also equal. )

18. ♗a4 b5 19. ♗b3 ♘e7 Due to the queen on c2, White is not able to take on d5 yet. 20. ♕e2 O-O And now, White has nothing better than to simplify with: 21. ♘xd5 ♘xd5 22. ♗xd5 ♗xd5 23. ♖xd5 ♖e8= And it's just fully equal now. )

( 9. ♗f4 Leads to the same. 9… g5 10. ♗g3

( 10. ♗e5? This is just a serious mistake. 10… g4 And Black is much better, for example: 11. ♘d2 ♘xe5 12. dxe5 ♘d7-+ e5 falls, and Black is already winning. )

10… ♘h5 Transposes into 9.Bh4. )

9… g5 10. ♗g3 ♘h5 We want to seize the bishop pair, and this is the starting position of this chapter. 11. ♕c2 Most logical move, carrying on with the development.

( 11. ♗e5 The most common continuation. White tries to give the bishop on their terms, and we have two ways to meet this move: 11… ♘g7 Very solid approach.

( 11… ♘xe5 Also possible, if you don't want to allow the repetition. 12. ♘xe5

( 12. dxe5 I don't like this recapture so much for White. 12… ♕c7 Black just gets a very pleasant game with 0-0-0. For example: 13. ♕a4 White tried to stop 0-0-0 in Lei - Koneru, 2025. 13… ♗c5⇄ But we just need to develop our bishop to prepare it, and Black is absolutely fine. )

12… ♘f6 13. O-O

( 13. ♕c2 Also possible, but less challenging. 13… ♘d7 We challenge the knight. 14. ♘xd7

( 14. ♘f3?! Runs into: 14… g4⁼₊ And Black's position is great. )

14… ♕xd7⇄ With an interesting game for Black, our plan could be to play on the kingside. )

13… ♘d7! Key move, we want to challenge the knight and preserve our bishop pair.

( 13… ♗d6 Be careful, this is more common but weaker. 14. f4⁺₌ White was slightly better in Gozzoli - Sjugirov, 2020. )

14. f4 Critical try.

( 14. ♘xd7 Harmless. 14… ♕xd7⇄ We will finish the development next, and this is great for Black. )

14… gxf4 15. exf4 ♘xe5 We just simplify. 16. dxe5 More logical recapture, as White keeps f5 options.

( 16. fxe5 Also possible. 16… ♕g5⇄ And here we will go for 0-0-0, with a balanced and interesting game. )

16… ♕b6+ Tempo development. 17. ♔h1 O-O-O 18. f5 ♗d7⇄ With a fighting position for three results. )

12. h3 Preparing Bh2 to keep the bishop.

( 12. ♗g3 If White tries to preserve the bishop. 12… ♘h5= We can repeat and transpose back into 10...Nh5. )

12… ♘xe5 The last chance to take the bishop, so we must take it. 13. ♘xe5N More critical recapture.

( 13. dxe5 In both games that reached this position, White recaptured with the pawn. 13… ♗c5⇄ But that just gives us an easier path and a great position. )

13… ♗d6 We can no longer challenge the knight with our knight, so we use the bishop. 14. O-O ♗xe5 15. dxe5 ♕c7 Putting pressure on e5. 16. f4 O-O-O With an interesting fighting game. For example: 17. ♘b5 Concrete approach, using the fact that cxb5 fails to Rc1. 17… ♕b6 18. ♘d6+ ♖xd6! Necessary, but strong. 19. exd6 gxf4 We take on e3 anyway, so we can open up the g-file first. 20. ♖xf4 ♕xe3+ 21. ♖f2 ♘e8₌^∞ We get a second pawn for the exchange, and we have great compensation. )

( 11. ♕b3 Sarana also tried this move once. 11… ♕b6 12. ♕c2 The idea is to lure our queen out, so that after Nxg3-hxg3, g5 can be hanging. But we can use our extra tempo sensibly with: 12… O-O-O 13. ♖b1 The engine's idea is to play for the attack. 13… ♘xg3 14. hxg3 ♗b4 We finish our development. 15. O-O ♔b8 Standard prophylaxis. 16. ♘a4 ♕c7 17. a3 White will go for a queenside attack. 17… ♗e7 18. b4 h5 We go for counterplay on the kingside. 19. ♘c5 ♔a8⇄ With an interesting and balanced position, where both sides have chances. )

11… ♘xg3 We use the chance to take the bishop. 12. hxg3 ♕f6 The simplest approach is to ensure that we manage to play 0-0-0.

( 12… ♗g7 You can also go for 0-0. 13. O-O

( 13. a4 Can be simply met with: 13… a5⇄ And this inclusion is not bad for us, and White needs to decide what to do again. )

( 13. O-O-O If White plays with 0-0-0 now, we can also switch our plan with: 13… ♕e7⇄ And go for 0-0-0 instead of 0-0, and it's at least fine for Black. )

13… O-O⇄ With a balanced game. )

13. O-O Best for the engine.

( 13. O-O-O?! The most common move and very natural, but dubious actually. 13… O-O-O 14. ♔b1 ♔b8 Standard king prophylaxis. 15. e4 ♖c8 We can simply ignore White's central push. 16. e5 ♕e7⁼₊ We can continue with Bg7-c5 very easily, and Black is better. )

( 13. e4 Also very logical. 13… dxe4 14. ♘xe4 ♕g7⇄ 0-0-0 next, with an interesting game. )

13… O-O-O 14. a4 Most critical try. It was only played in one correspondence game.

( 14. e4 Human move, but not very challenging. 14… dxe4

( 14… ♔b8⇄ We can also ignore White's previous move. )

15. ♘xe4 ♕g7 Black's position is great and offers a lot of chances. For example: 16. b4 White tried to be aggressive in Papasimakopoulos - Santos Latasa, 2024. 16… ♔b8 Improvement over the game. We need to take some measures against White's attack. 17. b5 ♖c8⁼₊ The queenside is under control, and we can go for strong counterplay with f7-f5-f4. )

14… ♔b8 15. a5 White takes space on the queenside. 15… ♖c8 Useful prophylactic move. 16. a6 b6 It was necessary to weaken the queenside a bit now. 17. ♖ac1 Against c5.

( 17. e4?! Premature. 17… g4 We manage to get quick counterplay. 18. e5 ♕g7 19. ♘h4 c5⁼₊ And Black is better, since there is no Nb5 option. )

17… h5 We go for a kingside attack. 18. e4 g4 Typical counter reaction. 19. e5 ♕d8 We go all the way back, to not block our bishop's path.

( 19… ♕g7? The 17.e4 line doesn't work anymore. 20. ♘h4 c5 And here the key difference is: 21. ♘b5± And no cxd4 due to the rook being on c1. )

20. ♘h4 ♗e7 Finishing development and attacking the knight on h4. 21. ♘f5 h4∞ With a complex game, for three results. But the engine evaluates at "0.00", so the chances are equal. *