Which variations do you find uncomfortable? Show some lines, if possible. I can suggest some straightforward solutions.
Fellow caro-kann players... HELP!!!
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Line 1 I hate: Bayonet attack
(If I get this sorted out and I study the concepts of short variation a bit, I might return to Bf5 caro)
So the simple idea is that you're going to play either ...e5 or ...e6, depending on what White allows you to play. You'll develop toward queenside castling, usually. If White plops his knight on e5, you exchange it away.
Here's one line:
Here's another:
In the first line, White played f4, which stopped ...e5. No problem, Black plays ...e6 and develops.
In the second line, White didn't stop ...e5. So Black played it, and continued to develop.
These kinds of lines can seem quite tricky or confusing at first, since it's a unique attack that White is trying ... but once you've looked at them enough times, the basic concept should start to make sense. The general idea is that Black is probably going to castle queenside, after first playing either ...e6 or ...e5, depending on which one White allows.
The advance variation in the scandinavian is one of the reasons I want to quit THAT and play 1.e4 e5. No more advance variations and the ability to play ...Nf6. That, and it's where all the countergambits are
Oct 18, 2023
0
#6
I don’t believe that you have problems with advanced at your level. I played the unsound variation and still got like 62% win rate on +-1000 level. Botwinnik-carls is op, play it and as soon as you start to struggle just learn the transposition into a tempo down improved advanced french(e4 c6 d4 d5 e5 c5 dxc5!! And on I think till 1500 level Nc6 will work. If not, just learn e6(white has no reliable way to save the pawn)
I would recommend sticking with the 3… Bf5 Advance Caro-Kann. Against the Bayonet, @IronSteam1 has already given his two cents, and you won’t be getting any better from essentially anyone else on this site, so now I’d REALLY recommend staying with the Caro-Kann.
Ethan_Brollier wrote:
I would recommend sticking with the 3… Bf5 Advance Caro-Kann. Against the Bayonet, @IronSteam1 has already given his two cents, and you won’t be getting any better from essentially anyone else on this site, so now I’d REALLY recommend staying with the Caro-Kann.
Ok!
I would suggest the botvinik Carl's. You are just a beginner, so why go there instead of trying the more open C5?
indeed. Truly, no one can ever to claim to "choose" the Caro•Kann. It chooses you.
wtf is this
What are you talking about najdorf96? You are playing an evil opening and that's why you are talking such rubbish I guess.
indeed. @rupam44 um ever realize the title of this forum much? Ever realize how many Legends of this game play this evil, rubbish opening (including the OP)? Cool. You don't realize much other than just reading and reacting, I'm guessing. I said what I said because anybody can play the Caro•Kann, but it takes a certain temperament, understanding to a certain degree of it's nuances, to play competently and effectively. Some can grasp it right away, others work hard (like me).
I ultimately believe in the soundness of this opening, I have played countless games with it for 20 years. These days I have been validated in the fact, forums talk about it more n more (I've been on chess.com for about 11 years). There is not a forum about the CK I have not ever read & commented on in lo those many years. Thanks for asking.
indeed. Someone close to me has just now, enlightened me on the fact that my username (which I've used since...er...1996 heh) may have caused some "confusion". Yes, my main defense is the Sicilian Najdorf, which I used exclusively in OTB play, Club play etc for many years I have not used in 5 years on many platforms online (the last time I defended with it was actually in a chess.com thematic Sicilian Najdorf tourney where I came in 7th out of 300+. Not too shabby) preferring to play the CK, which as mentioned I also have been playing for almost as long OTB, and recently almost exclusively here online.
The advance variation of the caro kann. It was the reason I almost left the opening before, and while I probably wont leave for that reason this time (This time, it would prob be because there are some other good openings, specifically the french, which is what I played before first falling in love with the caro, and I still hold in high regard today as a solid, but very fighting opening, and the pirc, a new opening that is likely too complicated for me, but I have found it to be really interesting, deceptively durable, and likely unexpected at my level. I have felt that the caro advance variation has no reply I truly was comfortable with, especially in the "better" Bf5 variation.
How do I deal with this? Do I play the botvinnik, which actually in some lines allows white a pawn, or do I play the Bf5, learn its concepts, and just accept a mildly uncomfortable position? What do I do????
Also, as a side note, is the bayonet with 4. ... Be4 5. f3 Bg6 6. h4 h5 7. e6 ok for black?