Before i switched to e5 i played caro cann a lot and i still play it often enough.
- Fantasy variation is not really a problem since it is fairly easy to play for black once you know what to do. Anybody who plays caro cann online knows what do to. About 1 in every 5 games you play is fantasy.
- Exchange variation is not an issue either. Not only is every caro cann player very familiar with it (it gets played once every 5 games as well) the plans black has are very easy .. Specialy the variation with 4. ... Qc7 seems to give white trouble.
- I cannot say to much about the advance variation with Bf5 as i play 3. ... c5. However it seems that currently the GM's consider it whites best chance for advantage.
- The main line with Nc3 gives me most trouble in faster time control games. This is because white only has to make logical moves to get something of an attack going. Defending the black position takes more time. Also with good play it leads to balanced positions where white keeps a slight pull
- Panov i never get against me too much but it never bothered me. The position might be wild in your view but it is analyzed all the way into the end game and for both sides there is not really a way to avoid it. The endgame is certainly interesting and white might be slightly lightly better but caro cann players generally know and like the endgame
- de 2. c4 variation can turn into a panov or white can take on d5 twice. In the last case black gets a good position.
My opinion is that you should either play the advanced or the normal main line caro cann if you want to scare caro cann players.
I'm looking for anyone who knows what attack 2. f4 is vs. the C-K. I've lost to it several times, but finally beat it today against a player 200 points higher than me...anyone familiar with it? In databases, 2. f4 seems to be the sharpest line in Caro Kann. 16% draw rate....that's insanely low.