Caro Kaan
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No, nothing wrong with the panov, the positions are playable, just not the most challenging. This is the reason it is not seen at the highest level very often.
The alien gambit may be able to trick a sub 1000 player, so maybe players should learn it, but above 1000 the alien gambit is nothing to be afraid of.
Chess.com has a half-hour video explaining all the main ideas in the Caro-Kann:
https://www.chess.com/lessons/learn-the-openings/learn-the-caro-kann-defense-1
Click on "Explainer Video".
If you go to Learn -> Openings there are many opening resources.
The Complete Guide to Mastering the Caro-Kann Defense...
https://www.365chess.com/chess-openings/Caro-Kann-Defense
In particular, I suggest to check out....
Caro-Kann....Tartakower Variation
The Tartakower Variation (also known as the Korchnoi Variation) is a sub-variation of the Caro-Kann Classical Variation (slightly confusing!).....a fun, aggressive variation, looking for a Kingside attack.....It is currently popular at all levels..
ChessGeek - Caro-Kann.....Tartkower V. (does a nice job explaining it)...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsnITf68J5w&list=PLOaFVRf_8WkR2hEuZXnfK0vnNenUCPc3F&index=5
Chessfactor (Alex Astaneh).....Caro- Kann Classical Variation (includes the Tartakower V.)...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86onnhhKHMg
Hanging Pawns.....Caro-Kann....Korchnoi V (aka Tartakower V.)...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_6qOZIlbE0
Hanging Pawns - Introduction to Caro-Kann Defense...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jiz7KLKjLas
Caro-Kann Course Preview: Ch. 5, Tartakower 5.Nxf6+ - ChessGoals...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHkZRzuoCJU
Brilliant move in the Caro-Kann Tartakower! - ChessGoals...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJhlvYNcK_s
GM Daniel Naroditsky - Caro-Kann - Tartakower V. instructive game...('Danya' is one of my favorite chess YouTubers)..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPVp5TWZR0w
An excellent, instructive repertoire book on the Caro-Kann which extensively treats the Classical - Tartakower/Korchnoi Variation is...
Win with the Caro-Kann by Sverre Johnsen & Torbjorn Ringdal Hansen
Finally, you might also check out....
Chess Openings Resources for Beginners and Beyond…
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/openings-resources-for-beginners-and-beyond
The Alien Gambit came up in early 2024. Stockfish rates it -2, so black has the advantage. But the white fields are weak around the king, and with unprecise play its easy to get either the king and/or the queen side totally locked down. Thats why its good to know the next few computer moves of the variant.