Which one is better the Caro-Can or the French defense
There's certainly a lot less to learn for the Caro if the number of ECO chapters means anything. But I always preferred the French.
I personally prefer the Caro Kann. I played the French for a while a couple years ago and I didn't really like playing against 3. Nc3 or 3. Nd2. I don't really have problems with any of the variations of the Caro Kann.
Both are perfectly fine though and I'd recommend either one of them to anyone interested. In the end it's just a matter of which one you like better.
As white I'd better face the caro and not the french; playing against the french is really annoying wit many chances for black to get initiative.
Interesting that the same idea of swapping immediately and charging with the c-pawn leads to two vastly different outcomes:
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 and White is just starting an exciting attack!
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. c4 and White is desperately trying to not let the game drift into oblivion.
Both are great defenses and, if played persistantly, can help you face the deficiencies in your game.
At non-titled level, that's what you should want out of an opening.
Originally I started off playing the french, and then I moved to the Caro-Can. Now that I am getting higher in rating I am starting to question whih one I should play. So my question is, which one is better the french defense or the Caro-Can?