A good companion to the caro-kan

Hello,

I noticed i tend to get into automatic mode with the Caro-Kan, especially online. I've never played something else since i can recall (probably did for fun but doesn't count).

What opening could i try to have as second defence against 1.e4 that is different than the Caro-Kan without being complete opposite (so no crazy gambit, or even the wildest Sicilian lines?)

I don't intend to go deep into theory here. My main weapon will remain Caro-Kann. I just wanted a second option available in case i need mix things up or surprise a regular opponent (alongside expanding a little my chess knowledge).

Thank you

Those looking to play two defenses against e4, Sicilian players should take up the French and vice versa and 1...e5 players should take up the Caro-Kann and vice versa.  The former pair is more for the risk takers while the latter is more for your positional players that want a solid foundation.

So 1...e5 is your answer.

Sounds like good advice.

I do want something a little different to go alongside my caro kann here and there. So thank you for advising 1...e5. Would you more advice Petroff (2...Nf6) or Ruy Lopez (2...Nc6, 3...a6)?

I guess a lot depends on what you play in the Caro.

For example, do you tend to play the more dull lines looking to gain equality as quickly as possible with little risk of getting blown off the board at the cost of a high draw ratio and fewer winning chances?  Or do you play the more modern aggressive lines of the Caro with intent to win?

A good way of looking at this is what do you do against the main line, as in 3.Nc3?  Do you play the Smyslov (4...Nd7)?  Do you play the 4...Bf5 lines and castle Queenside?  Or do you go all out and castle Kingside in the 4...Bf5 lines?

If you are the first, I would recommend a solid line like the Breyer Variation of the Ruy or the Chigorin Variation.

If you prefer the castles queenside lines of the 4...Bf5 Caro, I suggest the ultra solid though sometimes dull Berlin or the Petroff with 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nf6 or 3.d4 Nxe4 4.Bd3 d5 5.dxe5 Be7

If you are of the adventurous type, playing the Caro with kingside casting, then I would suggest either the Zaitsev or Moeller against the Ruy, or else the Petroff with 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nxc3 or 3.d4 Nxe4 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.Bxe4 d5 6.Bd3 e4.

Hope this helps.  Of course, you really should look at all of them and see which best suits you.  Maybe you want to play the castles kingside line and the Berlin.  To each their own.

Thank you for this long response. I do play the Smyslov (Nd7). I tend to look for solid play and get into an endgame. I will have look a your variations and maybe check some GM games

Thanks! 

If you specifically prefer endgames, the Berlin may be your answer.

1.e4 e6 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 d6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8 Kxd8 9.Nc3 and then Black has a choice to make.  9...Ne7, 9...Bd7, 9...Ke8, even 9...h6, are all viable moves.

Heard of it, but the opening seems a little counter intuitive for me  but i'll test it