I play 3...c5 against the Caro-Kann advance. It's playable.
Caro-kann vs French Defense
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Estragon wrote:
Carlsen is truly impressive, but the eschewing of deep theory also fits very well with his style of finding sound plans in seemingly quiet positions. The point in a game where many GMs are beginning to think draw, Carlsen is just starting to play.
Carlsen gets away with playing like this because he is a genius. Normal people should at least try for some opening advantage with white, otherwise they won't win many games.
Or you could just strive to play like a genius in every other phase of the game 
Dec 6, 2012
0
#65
Getting an opening advantage with white is also a defensive tactic; see my latest blog posting, where my opponent was a GM.
Dec 6, 2012
0
#66
madhacker wrote:
Estragon wrote:
Carlsen is truly impressive, but the eschewing of deep theory also fits very well with his style of finding sound plans in seemingly quiet positions. The point in a game where many GMs are beginning to think draw, Carlsen is just starting to play.
Carlsen gets away with playing like this because he is a genius. Normal people should at least try for some opening advantage with white, otherwise they won't win many games.
Uhm, Quiet and Opening Advantage are not Opposite or Mutually Exclusive. You can have a quiet position with a huge advantage. Instead of a stripped King for your opponent, you have better pawns, more space, better development, the better piece (i.e. Knight vs his Bishop in a locked position), etc.
coneheadzombie wrote:
GiorgiVanDerway wrote:
The french has alot of theory to it I would recommend the caro-kann i play that i also know the french. the car-kann is a legit opening and easy to play! Against d4 just play the king's indian defense not much theory on it and its a very solid defense also if your feeling up to iit look at the grunfeld i play that against d4 and its usually an exciting game! hope this helps!
Are you kidding? THe KID is almost as theory-full as the Sicilian (well, not nearly as full, but you get my meaning)!
I would imagine KID(i dont play the KID) is similar to KIA and neither have much theory to them. When i play e4 i like the ruy lopez but if he pulls a french or sicilian you can play KIA to either and there is not much theory to it!
Really? my misake i knw theres a few line to it but i dont play it. if someone plays it im a strong beliver of the averbach variation
Don't get me wrong, but what is KID?
King's Indian Defense.......KID. An aggressive defense by Black against 1. d4.... When I play against it as white, I play 3. g3 variation. The theory is the most KID players are very aggressive and this forces a more positional approach that aggressive players often find annoying.
References to KIA....or King's Indian Attack refer to a white system that essentially results in white playing the King's indian defense a tempo up. I run into most frequently when I play the French.
A Fischer favorite in his early years.
Yep, I also play the fianchetto, although I play 2 c4, 3 Nf3, then 4 g3.
Traumschloss wrote:
King's Indian Defense.......KID. An aggressive defense by Black against 1. d4.... When I play against it as white, I play 3. g3 variation. The theory is the most KID players are very aggressive and this forces a more positional approach that aggressive players often find annoying.
References to KIA....or King's Indian Attack refer to a white system that essentially results in white playing the King's indian defense a tempo up. I run into most frequently when I play the French.
A Fischer favorite in his early years.
Thanks
Both the French and Caro Kann allow White time to play d4. If you know your better than your opponent. then letting them establish d4 early is okay because in most lines you will be undermining there center, putting White on the defense. In playing both the French and Caro Kann be prepared for the advance variations because that's what your asking for though playable not my favorite postion to be in. You're much better off playing e5 or c5. Sure it's what they will be excepting, but the threat of d4 is real and has to be addressed in a timely fashion. If your worried about your opponents preparation, don't be, a single move can place him out of book. So what's better the French or Carro Kann, well they both allow d4; if your okay with that then I would go with the French just having the threat of c5. The French is more flexible. As for d4 defenses I play Nf6 e6 d5
Caro kann
Caro-Kann would win
MrBlunderful wrote:
The French is an excellent combination of the strategic and the counterattacking. It emphasizes understanding of pawn structures, long-term planning, typical positions, and ability to solve thematic problems. It rewards the devotee with a rock-solid, nigh-unbreakable defense against even the most aggressive attacks, yet leaves open the option for black to play in such a way that he can vigorously pursue the full point without abandoning his opening preparation.
By contrast, the Caro-Kann is for communists and sissies.
So you know, plusses and minuses both ways. You decide.
I think you are missing the point of the forum. Caro-kann is not for sissies, I'm not a sissy. Caro-kann has a better reputation then the french at top levels. I'm not saying French isn't good.
The French defense is a very solid defense that can be either tactical or positional depending on what choices are made. It is difficult to generalize. Even Fischer had problems playing against it. Most people either love it or hate it. You want positional play you can try the classical variations. You want really wild tactial possibilities, play the Winawer or McCutcheon variations. I use it as a defensive choice against impatient attackers. As Black though, you many times have to be patient yourself and have to play defensively for a while, but then you often get great counter attacks. You also have a "problem" locked in queenside bishop, but usually if that bishop becomes active you usually gain an advantage. As in all defenses it is a matter of taste.