Lyudmil_Tsvetkov wrote:
I will scare you, there is the Bayonet Attack.
Come on, thats an attack played against the King's Indian Defence, which in turn is played as a reaction against Queen's Gambit by White. Totally unrelated.
Which is better? Caro-Kann or Sicillian?
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Dec 31, 2024
0
#23
I despise Caro-Kann players. Just because it's popular doesn't mean you should use it and if you use it you should put on the personality quiz that you just play whatever was in the last GothamChess video. Sicilian is beautifully.
I think the Caro-Kann is better than the Sicilian because it's more solid and focuses on structure and pawn breaks.
Dec 31, 2024
0
#25
GMIlinca wrote:
I despise Caro-Kann players. Just because it's popular doesn't mean you should use it and if you use it you should put on the personality quiz that you just play whatever was in the last GothamChess video. Sicilian is beautifully.
Its Popular Because It has A very good pawn structure , Sicilian Is good too . Just Because of someone's opening choice doesn't mean you should despise them
The Caro is probably just popular because of some streamers like Levy or Dina...
Dec 31, 2024
0
#27
Truthfully, it’s a matter of how much one has studied either. Both a Sicilian and a Caro-Kann fall apart without proper understanding
But generally the Caro-Kann is probably easier to learn,
although truthfully, none of this really matters if you are under like 2300-2500
My personal opinion though, is that the Caro-Kann suited me very well for about a year and a half, (I used it as my main opening) but slowly I began having trouble with it, and so I’m now learning the dragon Sicilian.
BUT, I really don’t think one is “better” or “worse”
But generally the Caro-Kann is probably easier to learn,
although truthfully, none of this really matters if you are under like 2300-2500
My personal opinion though, is that the Caro-Kann suited me very well for about a year and a half, (I used it as my main opening) but slowly I began having trouble with it, and so I’m now learning the dragon Sicilian.
BUT, I really don’t think one is “better” or “worse”
Jan 2, 2025
0
#29
Sicillian got more votes but l also want some new openings to counter 1.e5
Sicilian is covered with so much theory, but it leads to beautiful position and diversity. Lots of tactical motives. However, this open the same oportunities for white as well. If you want wild games, go for sicilian. I myself prefer caro kan, and i used to play sicilian as well. Caro kan is easier to learn, and after you know the ideas, it can boost the results, but with less entertaining games. The caro kan is the most prolific opening for me, even better than playing as white.
I prefer the Sicilian
sicilian
Jan 2, 2025
0
#34
Sicilian is better for the center, and will lead to sharp trades with a quick opening. Caro-Kann will start slow with a strong position.
Jan 2, 2025
0
#35
If you want to win with Black, the Sicilian is your best choice.
If you want a draw, play the Caro-Kann.
If you like to torment your opponent and provoke them into offbeat nonsense to avoid your prep, the French might work.
Certainly Sicilian, only not if played by me. I will remember this loss forever and will have to live with it. A total newbie just got me, throwing stupid sidepawns from both sides like a madman. unfortunately, it was enough to secure his victory. I will have to stick to the most boring Italian - the guico pianissimo version, which my white opponents love so much. But Sicilian, to me it is too dangerous and some newbie strategies unfortunately proved to be succesful against me. I guess in the boring -a s s Italian, people just chill the whole game and nothing happens. But I got punished for trying to avoid this boring version.
Doctor-Advanced-Pawns wrote:
Lately after studying a lot l came up with the 2 best options- Caro-Kann and Sicillian defence. So l just wanted to know which one is better so l can score some wins.
There's no wrong answer here - they're both sound defenses. Give them both a try, alternating between them from game to game. Eventually you'll decide that you like one more than the other. Then you can focus on that one.
Jan 3, 2025
0
#39
The choice between the Caro-Kann Defense and the Sicilian Defense depends on your playing style, goals, and willingness to study theory.
I never recommend the Sicilian to Beginners because it has a Lag in development + most Sicilian lines beginners like to play can get them into trouble.
I don’t like recommending the Kings Pawn game 1…e5 to beginners because I think players playing white will expect it and feel pretty comfortable seeing it.
The only 1…e5 line I have ever recommended to beginners is Philidor, but I often tell them to use the Pirc Move Order.
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The Main Black Opening lines I recommend to beginners would probably be:
- French Defense
- Caro Kann
I often recommend the above lines if a chess player is serious about improving.
If a player isn’t serious and just wants to have fun, I do like recommending other WEIRD Stuff.
- Modern Defense which can include:
1) Lizard Defense
2) Hippo Defense
3) Pterodactyl Defense
- Pirc Defense
Both are excellent openings that have been played at World Championships. So for you it should be more a question of personal preference. The Sicilian is more popular because it is more active, but it is also dangerous.