Good question. I recently bought Jovanka Houska's "Opening Repertoire: The Caro-Kann" and decided to explore that.
I recently played 4 daily games starting from this position as black. I really liked how the games progressed. For right now, that's my response to the advanced variation.
Both Stockfish and Lc0 appear to put 3. ... c5 about equal with Bf5. I say appear because I haven't let them run for terribly long at this position. I recommend Jovanka's book. So far, I like it.
My impression is that 3... c5 is pretty common nowadays, but it only became popular fairly recently. Database stats look massively skewed in favor of 3... Bf5, because that used to be the "automatic" move until someone finally figured out that the early c5 was a perfectly good option.
Why is Botvinnik-Carls defense in the caro kann ( 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5) uncommon at the masters level. I mean I couldn't find many master games in the database.
It is less logical than Bf5. I mean, you played c6, d5… only to move the c pawn again. Like, really? The entire point of the caro is to have a pawn support d5 while not locking in the bishop like the French defense. Of course it’s still a very good move, just you have to bend your brain a little to comprehend it.
The "wasted tempo" is illusory. In the 3... Bf5 lines, black almost always plays c5 anyway, it just happens a couple moves later.
The "wasted tempo" is illusory. In the 3... Bf5 lines, black almost always plays c5 anyway, it just happens a couple moves later.
I know- but just initially looking at it you can understand why most people would dismiss the move.
Why is Botvinnik-Carls defense in the caro kann ( 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5) uncommon at the masters level. I mean I couldn't find many master games in the database.
It is less logical than Bf5. I mean, you played c6, d5… only to move the c pawn again. Like, really? The entire point of the caro is to have a pawn support d5 while not locking in the bishop like the French defense. Of course it’s still a very good move, just you have to bend your brain a little to comprehend it.
Because the best chess player ( Stockfish 14 NNUE) think it is the best response for black at 150M+ node. )😝😛
indeed. Technically, the whole aspect of the CK is being able to "free" the QB and challenge f5-b1 line as white would love to play Bd3.
Also, if I would play 3. ... c5, it wouldn't be because of any engine preference but more or so MY preference. Cool. As it is, I give NO credence to engine stuff as well as WC Carlson as he is Not a Caro•Kann like say, Karpov, Botvinnik.
indeed. Fact that he can win with that move is due to mostly his prep, talent, experience which most of us "grassroots " players don't (obviously) possess.
No offense to any titled players commenting.
I'm just a prolific Caro•Kann player for 20 years (as well as the Sicilian Najdorf) with tons of experience. Just sharing my take✌🏽
3... c5 and 3... Bf5 are both perfectly sound continuations. I don't think any strong players would argue otherwise.
Personally, I've shifted from 3... Bf5 to 3... c5 because I like the resulting pawn structures better. They're more imbalanced, which I feel gives me greater opportunities to outplay my opponent. 
3... c5 and 3... Bf5 are both perfectly sound continuations. I don't think any strong players would argue otherwise.
Personally, I've shifted from 3... Bf5 to 3... c5 because I like the resulting pawn structures better. They're more imbalanced, which I feel gives me greater opportunities to outplay my opponent.
Yes. By delaying Bf5, we keep the option to pin the knight when it comes to f3 and exert more pressure on the center.
It's fairly popular in recent Caro-Kann books. Sverre Johnsen's Win with the Caro-Kann (2021) and Francesco Rambaldi's The Caro-Kann Revisited (2020) feature it.
Hi friends
Why is Botvinnik-Carls defense in the caro kann ( 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5) uncommon at the masters level. I mean I couldn't find many master games in the database.