Opening Analysis - The Caro Kann

DrChessWizard

Updated: Nov 24, 2021, 11:12 PM | 9

So, this has been due for a loong time. This was supposed to come out like a year ago but because im bored imma post this now.

So, for people who have no clue what the caro kann is, I dont know what ur doing cuz its a 1/4 chance u face it if u play 1.e4.

It starts out 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5. Now white has 4 options,

a) Push the pawn or 3.e5 (Advanced Variation)

b) Take the pawn or 3. exd5 (Exchanged Variation)

c) Defend it with the Knight or Nc3. (No clue what to call it)

d) Defend it with the pawn or 3. f3 (Fantasy variation)

So Lets solve (a) first. Now My recommendation isnt the main line 3. .. Bf5 cuz when I did use to play Bf5, I almost always fell apart to 4.h4 or the Tal Variations (probably called that becuase Mikhial Tal used to play it) in OTB tournaments. So I recommend 3... c5 . If White decides to not take the pawn on c5 and lets say, plays Nf3, just develop like normal and play Nc6 and Bg4. This way u get an advantageous French type position but with the Bishop on G4. But If u hate ur Light Square Bishop and want it to rot in Jail like me, here is my French blog (please read it I get a feeling of euphoria but the amount of views i get). The Visual representation is given below

(a-i)

So lets say white plays the best move 4. dxc5 our plan doesnt change. go 4.... Nc6 and after 5. Nf3 go Bg4 (i dont guarentee that white's best move is Nf3 but thats what i face mostly) and accordin to me this is a good position to play with. Visual represntation is below

(a-ii)

Now for (b) and (c) there isnt really much u can do. In (b) its pretty much the same plan, go Nc6 and Bg4 or Bf5 and just develop. For (c) u kinda have to play the main line which is 3... dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. Nf3 and try to develop. I really cant help u much there. Both Visual representations are given below.

(b)

(c)

Now (d) is a bit unusual . But there is a simple refutation. after 3.f3 black should play 3... dxe4 4. fxe4 and then e5. The idea is White cannot take 5. dxe5 beacuse of Qh4+ followed by Qxe4+ and black is just winning. Now white should play 5. Nf3 then black should go Bg4 and black is a bit better if not equal. This is just super easy for black to play and white is gonna be struggling to develop all his pieces and keep his big center.

(d)

So this is my analysis of the Caro Kann. It is an a super solid opening with a lot of easy positions and simple ideas. Of course if white is super prepared then its not gonna be as easy as you think but in the chess.com random pool or against someone who is not prepped well, this opening is gonna get u some wins if not a lot. If this doesnt suit u check out my French and Scandinavian Blog

Lightning payed me 5$ to give him a shoutout so check out his blog

and uh yea thats pretty much it cya

Opening Analysis - The Caro Kann

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