its a solid openning
Why Is Everyone Playing the Caro Kann?

It's Levy Rozman's (Gothamchess) favorite opening against 1. E4. His great friend Eric Rosen is considered the godfather of the Stafford Gambit. I think being the biggest modern chess streamer and how Caro Kann is great for anyone under 2000+ ELO has increased its popularity.
Ya Caro has become popular in under 2200 chess recently due to some streamers such as GothamChess playing it and recommending it.....even i play it 😆. But yeah really have to come up with an sideline to overcome it


Fashions come and go. Sometimes all it takes is the discovery of one interesting resource in what was previously considered a lifeless position and suddenly everyone is wearing torn jeans. or whatever. Add the Youtube factor and it doesn't make much to turn the silliest idea (and the CK is hardly a silly opening) into haute couture.
There is also Taimanov's observation that what is well forgotten can become new again, but I don't think that's the case here.

daniel naroditsky shows a good annoying line against caro that line has served well till nowhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5o7yemsySA

Here’s the real answer why, written by a GM.
http://matthias-wahls.com/webinars-2/mogliche-themen/eroffnung/caro-kann-master-class/
Did someone make it the new Stafford Gambit - seems like everyone is playing it.