I play the Caro almost exclusively as Black. I don't think of it as drawish; I think of it as an opening where Black develops with little difficulty and where White often over-extends.
Some players seem to think "attacking" is something you do against an opponent's king. That's a narrow and self-defeating perspective. Attack a weakness ... and I promise you: in the Caro, White has one.
If you are afraid of playing the Caro-Kann because of passive lines then hear this. Mikhail Tal certainly one of the greatest attacking players ever, played the Caro-Kann. He even said in a interview I play the scilian when I need a draw and the caro-Kann when I need a win.
I just watched a video on the Caro-Kann last night, produced by Kevin from www.thechesswebsite.com . For the intermediate- advanced player, you won't find anything deep, but it's perfect for me. I really like Kevin's voice and the simple way in which he covers main lines and a few variations, including the ideas behind some of the moves, all for free. :)
http://www.thechesswebsite.com/chess-openings/caro-kann.php
It makes me want to play the Caro-Kann when faced with 1.e4, playing 1...c6, as Black can enjoy a simple, solid pawn structure, as well as some flexibility for piece development.
BTW, to improve the quality of my posts, how do you get LINK, instead of http://www.thechesswebsite.com/chess-openings/caro-kann.php . Thank You.
Last, our own chess.com member Jerry, http://www.youtube.com/user/ChessNetwork , uploaded a game of his playing The Caro Kann with the Black pieces. Jerry is a NM, and in this game he is playing against an Expert rated player. It's got some outstanding analysis.
The game can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd_qzq4yUsA
If you are afraid of playing the Caro-Kann because of passive lines then hear this. Mikhail Tal certainly one of the greatest attacking players ever, played the Caro-Kann. He even said in a interview I play the scilian when I need a draw and the caro-Kann when I need a win.
To be honest, he played it only occasionally. I doubt that he was serious with that statement. (Well maybe half-serious)
I want to post this opening. I am searching for a way to play against 1. e4 and have a good positional game with possibilities. My new book on 1. e4 had some pretty interesting comments on the Caro Kann that got my wheels turning, so I decided to play a quick live game. Any comments on the opening would be nice - thanks!
Some thoughts ...
5 ... Bxf3 wins a piece
16 ... Bxf3 wins a piece
pathfinder, thanks. I realized the move 5 that I missed once it was too late, didn't think about move 16. Take too that I have been not getting much sleep recently 
But besides that, the basic motives - what do you think?
pathfinder, thanks. I realized the move 5 that I missed once it was too late, didn't think about move 16. Take too that I have been not getting much sleep recently But besides that, the basic motives - what do you think?
It's hard to say, due to White's Bg5 being pathological. What you did before that was fine. Normally Black would plan c5 to start picking at White's center, followed later by Nc6 (Nd7 is an alternative) and Rc8.
I would warn against assuming French Advance themes work against the Caro-Kann Advance. The differences may seem small, but they're enough.
pathfinder, can you please explain why my opening plan is flawed according to traditional Caro Kann ideas? After ...Bg4 (etc.), why can't Black prepare ...f6?
With Bg4, you intend to either (1) trade the B, or (2) place it on g6. It's no longer available to defend e6, and that differs from the French Advance. In the Caro-Kann Advance, an early f7-f6 greatly weakens e6. Not saying it can't be done, but if done casually it could be fatal.
There is no such thing as 'drawish' for under 2000 players. The C-K is especially good if you already play the Slav because you will see a lot of the same pawn set ups.
Being passive or aggressive is mostly a psychological matter. You either see ideas and judge them (correctly, or incorrectly - but you have to see them), basing subsequent play on those, or you don't see them at all and play insipidly. The caro may seem passive and all that, but it requires a level of skill and understanding that makes playing it very rewarding. Also, look over games by Karpov, Speelman, Petrosian, Ivanchuk.
Playing black is decidedly a difficult matter. You can choose to play actively with 1...c5 (but obviously, with a lot of risk), or with 1...c6, where black has to wait patiently for the game to unfold. It's not easy!
CARO KANN on Live Chess - Bullet : Opening vs Middle Game tactics
http://www.chess.com/livechess/game?id=819145737
BTB, did you ever get around to playing in some otb tournaments?
In my opinion its solid buty only if you are VERY experienced with it.
The classical variation is probably the most dangerous, if you don't know what you are doing, white can take advantage and push his H and G pawns to unleash a nasty kingside attack. When white castles queenside in the CK it is usually very dangerous for black so black would need to be experienced.
I would not reccomend the CK to anyone under 1800 in online chess. Thats why I don't use it!
CARO KANN on Live Chess - Bullet : Opening vs Middle Game tactics
I can defeat a 2000 rated player when he played Caro Kann Defense in our live chess a few moment ago.
http://www.chess.com/livechess/game?id=809416306
Note:
The fastest mate is 27.Qxg8# (mate)
Larry Christianson, who is an aggressive player, frequently plays the Caro-Kann. I remember a famous Tal-Petrosian game involving opposite side castling - Petrosian won beautifully. A strong player can create strong play and attacks from any reasonable opening. The Caro-Kann is a very good and varied opening.