c6?

[Henk]

Don't understand why Caro Kann or Slav defense can ever be good openings for knight is best on c6. Why would they otherwise play Bb5 in Ruy Lopez.

[Vinvin]

Don't understand why Caro Kann or Slav defense can ever be good openings for knight is best on c6. Why would they otherwise play Bb5 in Ruy Lopez.

Because c6 controls d5.

[Henk]

Maybe e6 is better for you can still play Nc6. Knights first.

[Vinvin]

Maybe e6 is better for you can still play Nc6. Knights first.

But e6 block the c8 bishop.
And the b8 knight is well place in d7 too, as it controls c5 and e5.

[Henk]

Bishop can wait on b7 or a6. Bishops are usually chased away during opening so better keep them at home to save time.

Knight on c6 controls d4 and e5, two center squares. With Nb4 it might even attack a badly placed bishop on d3.

Perhaps c6 is useful when there is Bishop on g2. But when an attacking pawn arrives at b5 it's also a disadvantage.

[Terry McCracken]

Bishop can wait on b7 or a6. Bishops are usually chased away during opening so better keep them at home to save time.

Knight on c6 controls d4 and e5, two center squares. With Nb4 it might even attack a badly placed bishop on d3.

Perhaps c6 is useful when there is Bishop on g2. But when an attacking pawn arrives at b5 it's also a disadvantage.

That's bad theory. Why do you think Grandmasters still use it so often?

[Henk]

Bishop can wait on b7 or a6. Bishops are usually chased away during opening so better keep them at home to save time.

Knight on c6 controls d4 and e5, two center squares. With Nb4 it might even attack a badly placed bishop on d3.

Perhaps c6 is useful when there is Bishop on g2. But when an attacking pawn arrives at b5 it's also a disadvantage.

That's bad theory. Why do you think Grandmasters still use it so often?

I just try to understand. It may be bad I don't know.

[Terry McCracken]

Bishop can wait on b7 or a6. Bishops are usually chased away during opening so better keep them at home to save time.

Knight on c6 controls d4 and e5, two center squares. With Nb4 it might even attack a badly placed bishop on d3.

Perhaps c6 is useful when there is Bishop on g2. But when an attacking pawn arrives at b5 it's also a disadvantage.

That's bad theory. Why do you think Grandmasters still use it so often?

I just try to understand. It may be bad I don't know.

Check with ChessBase, they have excellent information on the opening.

c6 is very solid and can be a tough nut to crack. that is why it is still in use.