Caro-Kann Study Group (1.e4 c6)

So let's take a quick look at the Advance Caro-Kann.  Personally, this is one of my favorite openings but I have to admit I don't play the Main Line with 3...Bf5.  I will show a couple of the moves I prefer.

Perhaps someone who knows the 3...Bf5 lines can post that.

wouldnt mind jumping in. honestly just the name of the opening has made me want to adopt it(dragonball z.. goku.. kyo ken. get it? ya? no? fuck you too :p). but i havent found a good video, article, anything to get me started in it. ive played the french since i got back into chess, and i know the caro advance can lead to a french position, and I like the positions i get in the slav against d4. so I think i may be familiar with the pawn structures I might get.

AFAIK, 4 c4 (and/or 4 Nf3 Nc6 5 c4) are critical nowadays. I don't play the CK anymore (although I used to) but I'd be interesting in joining such a group to share and discuss some ideas for White.

Having another player who knows the white side of the board would be great. Please join us.

Send me an invite (assuming there's a group that's been created?)

There isn't yet. But everyone who has commented here will be invited.

No love for 2. d3?

Anyone who plays the Caro-Kann had better know a bit about defending against the King's Indian Attack.

That's true, and plus the unwary who play 4...Nd7 get hit with the crazy 5 d4! line Tal played against Smyslov

Here's a Caro-KIA against a 2023-rated player:

Blueemu, after about 13 moves, the game started to look like a Spanish or Italian Game to me. Especially with the Queen on f3 and the knight on f5.

Mainline_Novelty wrote:

That's true, and plus the unwary who play 4...Nd7 get hit with the crazy 5 d4! line Tal played against Smyslov

Just looked it up. Tal is insane. But I stopped playing the KIA because Black has no problems after fianchettoing

The N(b1)-d2-f1-g3-f5 maneuver is a common theme in the Spanish, yes... but also in some lines of the KIA.

In the main-line KIA, White fianchettoes K-side... so with a Pawn on g3 that maneuver is often replaced by N(b1)-d2-f1-h2(or e3)-g4 instead.

I could post an OTB game that demonstrates the Knight maneuver... but it arose from a French (with 2. d3) instead of a Caro-Kann, so it might be a bit off-topic for this thread.

Where is Boog with the Nigel Short Variation with Ne2 +e5?? This is a very interesting move order for white.

ooh yes I almost forgot about that line, IMO 3...d4! is the only serious challenge to its soundness

I don't play the KIA against the CK anymore. If Black keeps the tenion in the center, I feel that the placement of the pawn on c6 is benefical. Also, it poses no problems to him. As you guys requested, I made the group!

http://www.chess.com/groups/home/caro-kann-study-group

Not quite true. The KIA avoids the exchange of pieces and the resulting simplification of the position. This suits certain playing styles... such as mine.

I tend to follow Tal's dictum (without duplicating Tal's success, of course) of trying to lead the opponent into a jungle of complications where the path is only wide enough for one player.

I did the same thing, but had enough of not duplicating anyone's sucess. It is sound, but yet, I am honing my Fanstasy, which I have yet to use OTB. I still play the KIA, but I think that there is more to be said for other variations.

You like the Fantasy variation? My hero, Chucky, plays it occasionally.

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1594902

What a great subject! I'd like to join but I don't know how I could with my ignorance on it contribute anything but I will try. I have played it from both sides and I like it's feel from both sides.