How to fill the gap in my repertoire

Hi im looking for advice on how to plug this gap in my repertoire please.

I play the slav and scandinavian qa5 as black, 2 openings i enjoy playing and want to continue using. I play regulary over the board with friends with decent success. But 1 of my freinds plays 1.c4 ive tried to force slav like positions by playing either 1...nf6 2...c6 3...d5 or 1...c6 2...d5.(I know this is caro-kann but if i play d5 before c6 will my opponent just exchange?) The problem is my opponent plays an early e4 aiming for a panov-botvinnik/accelerated panov-botvinnik. Plesse see examples below.

Is there a way of forcing the slav aginst 1.c4 that i have missed?

Are there any sidelines or veriations anybody can recommend to fill this gap?

Should i just learn some theory on the panov and accelerated panov?

Thanks

What variation of the Scandinavian do you play?  If you happen to play the Scandianvian Gambit already (1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. c4 c6) then there might be some opportunity to transpose into it from the 2nd diagram if white plays 3. exd5 Nf6, perhaps there is something similar for 3. cxd5

Edit : Even then, you can't really avoid a Panov-Botvinnik after 1. c4 c6 2. e4 d5 3. exd5 Nf6 4. Nc3, the only way I can see to fill the gap would be to take up the Caro-Kan or play some other mainline against the English.

PeskyGnat thanks for the reply and advice. I play the qa5 scandinavian. I was hoping I would only need to learn the panov and accelerated panov lines  and stick to the scandinavian (I can borrow a couple of books on the Karo). My idea being I am comfortable with the scandinavian and slav and enjoy playing both. So rather than drop the scandinavian and have to learn a new opening like the coro-kann from scratch Id prefer to just just fill the gaps with a side line if possible.

I think learning the Panov-Botvinnik from the Black side would be good in the long run as it's the type of position that can occur from other openings as well (i.e. Nimzo Indian), if ever you do take up the Caro-Kan someday, you'll have already covered this important variation, but for now I think sticking with the Scandinavian and Slav would be fine.  It's even useful to know for White due to fact that it can arise from a few different openings.

Starting with 1..c6 is viable and I can recommend that.

I personally always found it relatively easy theory for Black, it's mostly simple development and few forcing lines.

 

I think you either start with 1..c6 as Blackfoxx mention, or after 2. Nc3 play either 2..e5 or 2..c5. In your line 2..c6?! does just invite e4 with advantage, and going down the line after 4. e5 the only playable move is 4..d4, where after 5. exf6 dxc3 6. bxc3 exf6 7. d4! white is better due to more space.

2..c5 is probably easiest as you are going down English symmetrical line where you can copy white's moves for a while with near equality.

What are you afraid of? This line is harmless for white. Just play d5 and you are fine.

PeskyGnat ok maybe I will learn the panov maybe it will help my overall game.

Black foxxx the diagram looks a very interesting position after move 7, should lead to an exciting battle.

wrathss yes white is better in that line. Ive just played the symetrical vs the computer its certainly worth considering.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Robert0905 Im afraid of nothing just asking peoples advice on what i can use vs 1.c4. What line is harmless for white? You say "just play d5 and you'll be fine" On what move?