caro kann

is caro cann the best black opening

Nope

Well, it's pretty good, but I don't think you can really classify any opening as objectively the "best."

I think I do well with it, but I'd have to find a game where I played it. The main thing is that it occasionally confuses people who expect you to play e5, although one can argue the same goes for really any move that is even slightly "atypical."

I've been more of a Sicilian guy myself as of late, but maybe I'll consider Caro-Kann-ing (?) again to see how well I do. Although, given the fact that I recently had the black pieces eight times in a row, that might be hard to test.

Edit: As I turns out, I apparently haven't played the Caro-Kann nearly as many times as I remember. I was also decisively decimated last time I played it! Don't let that discourage you, though. I just went full stupid in the middlegame, losing a knight (and then the game) in a highly preventable matter.

🥲

Neither Horatio Caro nor Marcus Kann wish to be associated with this opening.

No opening is best...

It's what are you trying to get good at.

Example: For me the Caro-Kann and the Center Counter Defense (some call it the Scandinavian ) work because I've focused on the "Triangle Pawn" formation. Pawns at d5, e6 & c6... Now the same applies to "d pawn" openings. I play QGD (in this case the Orthodox, but I could play the Semi Slav if I choose to.... again it's the "Triangle Pawn Formation"

As White... you guess it ... It's the Triangle Pawn Formation. I play the Colle Koltanowski. A lot of Anti-Colle lines let me play a reverse Semi-Slav but with a move at hand being white (again it's the sub Triangle Pawn Formation. I also play the Stonewall Attack which is based off the Triangle Pawn Formation with an added f4. A lot of of Anti-Stonewall lines let me play a reversed Noteboom variation with a move ... again its the Triangle pawn formation... Along the way as black, I learned when to free my position or attack with by pushing c5, e5 or f5... same goes for playing White with c4, e4 or f4...

People attempt to learn openings with no commonalities, to me that seems counter productive

All one needs to do is kick in the door and the Crappy-Kan't collapses.

All sound openings lead eventually to more-or-less balanced positions.

That's what makes them "sound" openings.

The differences are mainly in what sort of road you are following toward equal chances, and on just how rocky and twisty that road is.

I play the Sicilian Najdorf and go for dynamic equality.

There are many YouTube videos praising the Caro-Kann opening as one of the best choices for mid-ELO players. However, I believe this is likely due to its inherently passive playing style.

I usually do okay with it but it's not aggressive at all.

This is ridiculously untrue.

Plus it's disgusting to mock chess players' names just because you happen to not like their opening for some reason.