Is caro kann good for me(prefers positional games)?

The Caro-Kann defense is a very good defense.  I was actually playing the Hyper-Accelerated Dragon and then switched to the Caro-Kann Defense. Currently I play both.

It's very logical and solid. In the Classical variation there is often opposite side castling, which can be quite tactical.

There is some theory to learn initially, but once you learn it it's typically not too hard to remember as it's very logical usually.

The Caro-Kann Move by Move suggests 4...Nd7 after 1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4. IM Cyrus Lakdawala explained: "... IM Houska and GM Schandorff both advocate the more popular 4...Bf5 line. ... I prefer playing out of fashion lines because my opponents are less likely to be booked up on such lines. ..."

https://web.archive.org/web/20140627015516/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen163.pdf
I understand that Opening Repertoire: ...c6 by Cyrus Lakdawala and Keaton Kiewra has recently been published. Apparently, it suggests 4...Bf5.

https://www.everymanchess.com/downloadable/download/sample/sample_id/131/

Are you trying to win as White with the Caro-Kann?

Are you trying to win as Black with the Caro-Kann?

I used to play the Caro a lot because I like structure and defense...with an easy way to the midgame and endgame where I get stronger....but recently I have switched to the modern defenses and they seem to work even better for me.

caro kann as black

Thanks alot everyone for your suggestions!

hey please elaborate which lines/defence you are playing is it 1.e4 g6 ? and is it positional ?

The Caro-Kann is an excellent drawing weapon for Black.  If you want to win with Black against 1e4 play the Sicilian.

hey thanks ! is it okay to prepare it for 90+30 tournament in next month from now , i have enough time though and i want to stop playing HAD..

hey thanks! its an interesting option , i see it,and i like to play gambit lines ,,,somewhat now confused in carokann and scan now..

hey what about caro-kann against below 1700 rated players? and sometimes against below 2000-2100 rated player?

hey thanks going through it!

hey then which one i should try

I think a month is enough to learn a new opening, at least below master level. The most important lines I'd recommend looking at are:

-Classical variation (1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3)

-Advance Variation (1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5)

-Panov-Botvinnik attack (1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4)

These are probably the most testing for Black. You should also look at the Exchange Variation, the Two Knights, the Fantasy, and other options too, although these are either less played or not as testing for Black.

BTW, some people have said that the Caro-Kann is good for drawing but not for winning. This is certainly not true at my level (2136 USCF).

I like the Caro-Kann because it usually gets my QB, my Bad Bishop, outside the pawn chain before I play ...e6 - which blocks it in with the French Defense. And then White often offers to trade it for his Good Bishop! Additionally, d5 often becomes a great Black N-outpost and you generally don't find your pieces cramped and lacking moves.  You have to keep an eye on e5 and c5 which are potential great White N-outposts and you're often in position to play your QN to d7 - taking away those outposts or ready to jump to f6 to back-up your d5-N.

Often, White's d4-Pawn is isolated, is a good target, ties his pieces up a little and an unexpected ...d5 or ...e5 by you can open things up when you are in the right position to begin a Q-side or K-side attack, whether or not you castled opposite.

So, as you can see, once you get comfortable with it, you have guidelines to get yourself where you want to go.  There are some tricky variations, particularly the Panov-Botvinnik Attack (the Caro's version of the Sicilian's Maroczy Bind), 1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 cxd5 4 c4!? where you should check and memorize some lines you feel comfortable with.

You can often try to seize the initiative at the start of the middle game or play a position overprotection game and let White put himself in awkward positions trying to break your defenses.

hey thanks a ton! will work on it!!!

lI think Tal was the one who said "If I have to win, I'd play the carokann." or something along those lines. That being said you can play the carokann in a number of different ways. You can play the extremely tactical and sharp lines, that lead to some of the most creative and complex games I've seen, with difficult theory, or you can play the less combative variations. I personally go for the fighting lines with a lot of theory, and below a certain level it's hard for white to turn the game into a mess and it will simply be very solid and easy play for you.

If you want to play for a win as black against 1. e4, its best to avoid symmetrical stuff, so c6 and c5 are the optimum choices. I'd say the carokann has more positional complexity and interesting maneuvers, and the sicilian can have more tactical complexity, although at the highest level those complicated sicilian lines seem to not be getting played so often. 

MickinMD wrote:  "...You can often try to seize the initiative at the start of the middle game or play a position overprotection game and let White put himself in awkward positions trying to break your defenses..."

                                           ___________________________________

Players that are stronger than you hate the position overprotection game.  Especially if it is the  3rd round of an OTB tournament.   They get greedy.  They have already won 2 games and are leading or tied for the lead with you.  Their rating is usually 100 to 150 points higher than yours.  This  strong player is thinking if I can get a win in this round, I  can coast thru to the  6th  and final round and win the tournament or at least tie for  first.   After all I am the highest rated player in the tournament.

This is the mindset that starts them down the slippery slope.  I'm thinking if I get the draw I will still be tied for the lead.  And still in contention for 1st or second place which is in the prize money.  Also if I get the draw I will nick  a stronger player for some rating points.  And finally if the stronger player overplays his position by trying to win at all costs, booya, touchdown, I make miracles happen!