Destroying Caro kann

Caro defence starts with 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5. Now the ckassical variation is that white continues with 3.Nc3... But two alternate moves foe white that has been quite popular in the recent times are 3.f3 which is also called the fantasy variation and abother one 3.e5 which is known as the advance variation in caro kann.. I will raise the fantasy variation later, but how can the advance variation can be countered by black? As the 3.e5, stops one prime post of black knight at Nf6.. PLEASE GIVE SUGGESTIONS..

The Advance variation is probably the most critical variation of the Caro, with the 4. Nf3 variation being the real test.  Black needs to be prepared for the 4. Nc4 5. g4 lines but these are in fact not overly dangerous.  Black's strategy in the advance variation revolves around putting pressure on white's weak d4 pawn with moves like c5, Ne7-f5, Nc6 and Qb6.  If white captures on c5 then black usually has a pretty easy game.

Interesting line Airut haven't seen that one before.

4.h4 can be considered dangerous and critical. At this point it is whites second most sound try after 4.Nf3.

mosey69 wrote:

The Advance variation is probably the most critical variation of the Caro, with the 4. Nf3 variation being the real test.  Black needs to be prepared for the 4. Nc4 5. g4 lines but these are in fact not overly dangerous.  Black's strategy in the advance variation revolves around putting pressure on white's weak d4 pawn with moves like c5, Ne7-f5, Nc6 and Qb6.  If white captures on c5 then black usually has a pretty easy game.

Mosey thank you for your useful suggestions.. You showed pretty nice lines.. The game you posted, if you had to play black and white goes 6.c3 (Previous moves remain same), how will you do that?? Cuz if now black goes cxd4 white recaptures with cxd4 and yet there is no good post for Ng8. Another thing I'd like to say that if black developes the Qc7 and Nb8-d7 print pressure on e5 white pawn. How is that idea.?? May be these questions are silly but just asking..

Airut wrote:

Technically I mentioned 3...c5 which is probably blacks best try.

Yes you are right according to me Airut, but as you play c5 as black, white goes c3.. So how will you ur counter that??

After 6. c3 the basic plan is the same.  Contine with Nc6 and at some point capture on d4, the d4 pawn is still weak and offers a good target for your pieces in the early stage of the game.  The g8 knight should still aim to come to f5 via e7 adding pressure to d4 once the f5 square is vacated by moving the bishop to g6 or h7.  If white defends d4 then at some point black may need to push the f-pawn to create counterplay but only once development is complete.

Probably should point out in the final position white cannot win a piece with g4?!, forking the bishop and knight since white can simply play Nxe3 threatening the queen and rook and once white recaptures on e3 the bishop can safely retreat to g6 with white's kingside pawn structure in tatters.

Well the OP was specifically asking about the Advance and the Fantasy variations from what I could gather...the Panov is another problem entirely.  I'm not sure why but I rarely see it at my level, perhaps it is more popular with stronger players.