I would recommend the caro-kann. It has stronger foundations and structures which can be useful at all levels. It is a bit richer in themes and ideas, and less likely to be refuted.
here's a recent game by Hikaru Nakamura using the Caro-Kann.
and before splurging into courses, look at chess.com videos and also on youtube.
For instance, this video may be useful before you decide to go for the caro-kann. Take a look !
I prefer the Caro-Kann. It's what I play.
But it's also quite theory-heavy, compared to the Scandinavian. White has a lot of ways to attack it. If black wants to do well, he needs to be prepared for a variety of different structures.
The Scandinavian, on the other hand, is very limited in its theory. It forces white's hand immediately, so white's responses are narrower. Black generally gets the kind of game he wants, every time.
I played the Scandinavian when I was younger, and I had a lot of fun with it. It's definitely the "easier to learn" choice, between the two.
Though the Caro-Kann is generally more respected, and played more at a higher level.
So it depends on what you want out of your e4 defense. Do you want something that you can learn relatively quickly, then play from there? Go with the Scandinavian.
Do you want something that's more of a long-haul defense - one that you'll continue learning and exploring for a longer term? Then go with the Caro-Kann.
Both are not good for me.
They say... you should choose the opening that gives to you the position where you feel comfortable to play in after.
Very good advise.
For some reason, I just imagined Levy Rozman and John Bartholomew death staring each other.
Larsen argued that the Scandinavian is a better version of the Caro-Kann. Black usually plays ...c6 and ...Qc7 just the same so the positions become the same after transposition. With the Scandinavian move order black avoids the Advance, the Exchange, the Panov.
Carlsen also plays the Scandinavian regularly.
Here is a game where Larsen defeated the reigning World Champion with the Scandinavian.
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1068107
Larsen argued that the Scandinavian is a better version of the Caro-Kann. Black usually plays ...c6 and ...Qc7 just the same so the positions become the same after transposition. With the Scandinavian move order black avoids the Advance, the Exchange, the Panov.
Carlsen also plays the Scandinavian regularly.
Here is a game where Larsen defeated the reigning World Champion with the Scandinavian.
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1068107
The Scandinavian is a better caro kann because black moves his queen three times to get to c7 instead of one. Got it.
It follows silmans endgame rule of cat and mouse: do in ten moves what you can do in one
It follows silmans endgame rule of cat and mouse: do in ten moves what you can do in one
There is a chinese war rule.
"Do nothing and wait for the dead body of your enemy swims down river".
LOL
From what I’ve read the Caro-Kann and Scandinavian get recommended for those in my situation. Both have a Short and Sweet Chessable course which I’ll use for my study. Which do you recommend? Thanks