Attacking the Caro-Kann

Which variation would you choose against the Caro-Kann (1.e4 c6) and why?

e4 c6 d4 d5 exd5 cxd5 c4. I believe this is the panov attack. It opens it up and makes the game more fun. if he plays Bb4 to pin the knight if he takes your knight your isolated d pawn is then protected with a c pawn and your center looks good.

After that, 1 exd5

2 d4
3 c3
4 Nf3
5 Bf4
6 Nd2

Originally posted by badivan1
Which variation would you choose against the Caro-Kann (1.e4 c6) and why?

check out how much fun the main line can be:Game 3987848

I think Rc8 was the troublestarter.

Nice stuff, it is always good to see the caro getting spanked.

The creative GM Murei likes variations like the Fantasy Variation: 1 e4 c6 d4 d5 3 f3 de 4 fe e5 5 Nf3. A lively game invariably ensues.

2. c4 in lieu of d4 can be fun if you're not afraid to isolate your d pawn.

The Advance Variation(e4 c6, d4 d5, e5) and the Panov-Botvinnik(e4 c6, d4 d5, exd5 exd5, c4) are both considered 'attacking' variations for white in teh Caro Kann

Originally posted by Kunsoo
2. c4 in lieu of d4 can be fun if you're not afraid to isolate your d pawn.

I used to play that from the move order 1. c4 c6, it just transposes to a panov attack.

Originally posted by badivan1
Which variation would you choose against the Caro-Kann (1.e4 c6) and why?

The main line is the best chance you can have against the Caro-Kann, although even then you must realize how solid this opening is. As black you really hope people play the Panov attack or the advance as its rather easy to equalize or get a better game from the opening. It's hard to find opening books to play against the Caro, well let me change that by saying good books, because most like 'Beating the Caro-Kann' don't even have the recommended lines for black in it. Even chess openings for white explained forgets to put in the best lines for black. I would say play the exchange or the main line, as they can be the most annoying for black.

Originally posted by kmac27
e4 c6 d4 d5 exd5 cxd5 c4. I believe this is the panov attack. It opens it up and makes the game more fun. if he plays Bb4 to pin the knight if he takes your knight your isolated d pawn is then protected with a c pawn and your center looks good.

I only meet the CK about -5% of the time.

At the risk of being rudely berated by a 1700+ who couldn't play for toffee last month 😉 I always instinctively play:

1.e4...c6
2.d4...d5
3.exd5...cxd5
4.Nf3

Originally posted by Squelchbelch
I only meet the CK about -5% of the time.

At the risk of being rudely berated by a 1700+ who couldn't play for toffee last month 😉 I always instinctively play:

[b]1.e4...c6
2.d4...d5
3.exd5...cxd5
4.Nf3

[fen]rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/8/3p4/3P4/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 4[/fen][/b]

and after 4...Bf5 black have no problems.

If you dont want to play 4.c4 then I can advice 4.Bd3.

Originally posted by Korch
and after 4...Bf5 black have no problems.

5.Bb5+...Nc6
then 6.0-0 is my plan here.
Though I take your point - it looks dead even.

what of 4 c3 in intention of Qb3?

I like the Panov. Here is a nice little miniature.

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd cxd 4. c4 dxc 5. Bxc4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. 0-0



7. ... Nxd4? 8. Nxd4! Bxd1 9. Bb5+ Qd7 10. Bxd7+ Kxd7 11. Rxd1 +-