Caro-Kann Defense (introduction, main variations & ideas) ⎸Chess Openings

Caro-Kann is a great weapon to add to your repertoire against 1. e4. There are numerous ways to fight white’s opening advantage and to get a lot of attacking chances.

The starting move of the opening is 1…c6, in response to e4. With this move black is preparing to challenge the center by pushing d5 (instead of challenging it directly as he does in the symmetrical e4 e5 openings or in the Sicilian Defense). The Caro Kann is a very flexible opening choice and it branches out into several key variations. Each will be briefly mentioned in this video, with the basic move order, ideas and plans for both sides. A separate video will be made for each individual variation where I will go into much more depth theoretically, as well as provide practical advice on move order and traps to set or to avoid.

The opening was named after Horatio Caro and Marcus Kann, two chess masters from the 19th century, who’d analyzed the main line up to move 17 and established it as a solid opening for black (which was hard to do considering the classical school of chess which frowned upon “modern openings” which don’t challenge the center immediately).

The theory of the Caro-Kann evolved a lot since then, and several key variations emerged. It’s now considered to be one of the most solid ways for black to fight against the king pawn opening.

The common variations are:

Main line:
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5

The Karpov variation:
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7

The Korchnoi and the Bronstein-Larsen variations:
1.e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6 exf6 (Korchnoi) 5…gxf6 (Bronstein-Larsen)

The Advance variation:
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5

The Exchange variation:
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. cxd5 (most commonly leading to the Panov-Botvinnik attack) …cxd5 4. c4

The Fantasy (Tartakower variation):
1.e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3

The Two Knights variation:
1. e4 c6 2. Nc3

The Gurgenidze variation:
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 g6

Players whose Caro-Kann Defense games you should study:

Anatoly Karpov, David Navara, Alexey Dreev, Tigran Petrosian

[HangingPawns]

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[detroitboyz]

Here because I can’t afford to buy the Gothamchess course. You’re a life saver bro.

[williamh]

This is the best video series on the Caro Kann that I've seen. The videos get straight to the point and cover a lot of content. Thank you!

[paullillebo]

Very nice. Excellent, clear English speaker.

[usageunit]

0:00 Introduction
1:51 Main line (3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5)
7:49 Karpov [Modern] Variation (4...Nd7)
11:11 Korchnoi and Bronstein-Larsen Variations (4...Nf6)
13:33 Advance Variation (3.e5 Bf5)
14:39 Short Variation (4.Nf3)
15:45 Bayonet Attack (4.Nc3 e6 5.g4)
17:27 Return to Short Variation
19:14 Fantasy Variation (3.f3)
21:26 Exchange Variation (3.exd5 cxd5)
22:30 Panov-Botvinnik Attack (4.c4)
23:39 Gurgenidze Variation (3.Nc3 g6)
24:27 Conclusion

[darshanrai]

4 years in and this is still one of the best videos that exists on the caro cann theory

[stephenp]

You sir deserve way more subscribers, very clear explanation

[NickMaovich]

This is the most thorough course on Caro-Kann I've found on the Internet.

Should I mention this is free?

Stjepan you are a god-sent, thanks! Switched to Caro-Kann as my main against e4, and now found this!

[jdjdjdjdd]

I never found any really instructive chess videos espacially opening theory that are explaind on beginner-amateur player! Thanks man Keep it up!

[robertedwards]

The examples in this series are absolute models of clarity. Thank you.

[jaspervanderstraeten]

You are the best chess teacher on youtube by far. Your lessons are to the point, in depth and comprehensable. Thank you for having them online for free!

[tomthumb]

Stephan - the best tutorials I have seen. Straight to the point, clear. Other presenters waste time with diversionary talk, these are excellent

[anony]

How does this guy only have 200k subs instead of 2m?

[michaelvanzyl]

Amazing quality that is deserving of more subscribers. can’t wait for more videos. Immediately made me sub

[timbrown]

I like the Caro-Kann in blitz, but struggle with the advanced variation. This video was extremely helpful. Thank you very much. Agree with all comments below that you deserve more subscribers. Great job giving just the right amount of detail ... not too much or too little. Bravo!

[TheChessViking]

Very well done, I might have to keep an eye on this series. Been looking for an alternative to my French and always wanted to try out the Caro-Kann but never got around to it. Maybe I can use this to kickstart it :-)

[mikeluque]

You're a good teacher. Clearly explained with with the why and even the history.

[OtokoWarrior]

Wow. Just fantastic stuff. So clear and concise, without sacrificing depth. Thanks so much. Has me excited to play the Caro-Kann.

[yonatanshenhav]

I've watched several Caro Kann videos and this is no doubt the best. very little useless details, and still comprehensive. good job

[alexlong]

This is better than any book on chess I could have ever read. Thank you so much for helping me take my hobby farther. Much love from Arkansas.