beginners playing against the caro-kann

hamworld

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13 Jul '13 02:37

hamworld
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13 Jul '13 02:37
What should complete beginners play against the caro-kann?
chaddavis14
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13 Jul '13 03:29
I routinely play the Caro-kann. The most difficult line against it is the advance variation. I hate it. It takes me about 8 - 10 moves to equalize, if I can at all. it makes development of the king's side knight very difficult. Essentially, I have to trade off the white bishop early, then play c5 to counter attack the center. This works, but it isn't exactly what you call "development" try the advance variation.
hamworld
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13 Jul '13 04:35
Originally posted by chaddavis14
I routinely play the Caro-kann. The most difficult line against it is the advance variation. I hate it. It takes me about 8 - 10 moves to equalize, if I can at all. it makes development of the king's side knight very difficult. Essentially, I have to trade off the white bishop early, then play c5 to counter attack the center. This works, but it isn't exactly what you call "development" try the advance variation.
So you think that if I were a complete beginner, I should try the advanced variation? It's not too complicated for a 1000?
~~robbie carrobie~~
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13 Jul '13 08:081 edit
Originally posted by chaddavis14
I routinely play the Caro-kann. The most difficult line against it is the advance variation. I hate it. It takes me about 8 - 10 moves to equalize, if I can at all. it makes development of the king's side knight very difficult. Essentially, I have to trade off the white bishop early, then play c5 to counter attack the center. This works, but it isn't exactly what you call "development" try the advance variation.
the trick to play against the advance variation is to play a pawn sacrifice, no ...Bf5, but 3...c5! If white wants to keep his pawn he must make some unusual moves to do so and we get an easy game of it.
Ragwort
Senecio Jacobaea
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13 Jul '13 10:07
Originally posted by hamworld
What should complete beginners play against the caro-kann?
Invert Board PGN Comments
{After...} 1. e4 c6 {The Caro Kann} 2. d4 {Setting up the classical "ideal centre" although white can play c4, d3, g3, Nc3, Nf3, or even b3 here} d5 {Black is attacking the undefended e pawn. So long as the beginner realises that and protects it, moves it out of the way, exchanges it or gambits it they are engaging in their game, making decisions for themselves about the kind of game they would like and will most likely come up with a move strong players would make. At this stage does it need to be more complicated than that?}
chaddavis14
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13 Jul '13 13:132 edits
chaddavis14
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13 Jul '13 13:15
Originally posted by robbie carrobie
the trick to play against the advance variation is to play a pawn sacrifice, no ...Bf5, but 3...c5! If white wants to keep his pawn he must make some unusual moves to do so and we get an easy game of it.
Oh thanks!! That sounds good. could you please post a game or two that illustrate this?

I appreciate it.

Chad
chaddavis14
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13 Jul '13 13:16
Originally posted by hamworld
So you think that if I were a complete beginner, I should try the advanced variation? It's not too complicated for a 1000?
Its a very straight forward defense. you will do fine with it at 1000.
hamworld
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13 Jul '13 13:22
Originally posted by chaddavis14
Its a very straight forward defense. you will do fine with it at 1000.
I thought it was an offence, since 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 is white's move?

*is confused*
greenpawn34
e4
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13 Jul '13 13:33
Hi Hammy

"I should try the advanced variation? It's not too complicated for a 1000?"

Nothing is too complicated for a 1000 player. They don't have complications.

They can go out and have loads of fun whilst the game is still new to them.
They should play worry free chess and just blast away picking up wee ideas
and lessons as they go along. The less they know the more they learn.
This is their childhood, let them enjoy it.

Don't keep them inside on a warm sunny day memorising opening variations,
let them go out and terrorise the neighbour with their Queens so they come
back with skint kees, scratches from stingy nettles and bloody noses.

The minute they start filling their heads with opening variations and
nothing else then it will get too complicated and then everything will
become overwhelming.

Losing sleep over what opening you are going to play comes later,
much much later when you are a better player and have a better understanding
of the game and have a leaning towards a particuliar style.

Think Development, Centre and Tempo in all openings and nothing else.
You will soon discover that DCT applies to all common openings and they
play themselves. You just need to now why you are making a move and
have a reason for making it. As oppossed to to just making any old move
because it is your turn to move.

Invert Board PGN Comments

1. e4 c6 {OK if you don't want the centre I'll take it.} 2. d4 d5 {3.exd5 (perfectly playable) gives Black a 2-1 centre pawn plus and a pawn on d5. so...} 3. Nc3 {Developing a piece.} 3... dxe4 4. Nxe4 {Nice posted Knight, pawn in the centre covering e5.} 4... Bf5 {Black gained a developing tempo by hitting the Knight..} 5. Ng3 {White wins it back - simple chess.} 5... Bg6 6. Nf3 {Developing with a threat. Ne5 and chopping the g6 Bishop.} 6... Nd7 {Stops Ne5.} 7. h4 {A non-centre pawn move with a purpose, it grabs some squares on the Kingside, threatens the g6 Bishop.} 7... h6 {To give the Bishop a bolt hole.} 8. Bd3 {The g6 Bishop is Black best piece - swap it.} 8... Bxd3 9. Qxd3 e6 {To get the f8 Bishop into the game.} 10. Bd2 {Preparing castling.} 10... Ngf6 11. O-O-O {Spend a tempo playing Kb1 and play Chess from here. Then c4 covering d5 and Bc3 are common ideas. White is OK - Black has less space but nothing really for White to get his teeth into.....yet.}
~~robbie carrobie~~
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13 Jul '13 15:59
Originally posted by chaddavis14
Oh thanks!! That sounds good. could you please post a game or two that illustrate this?

I appreciate it.

Chad
dig this chad my good man, I cannot post the game here because the pgn function does not support multiple variations, sadly,

http://www.chess.com/blog/robbie_1969/system-against-caro-kann-advanced-variation2

any questions please let me know - regards Robbie.
hamworld
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14 Jul '13 01:48
Of course, you're very right greenpawn. Thing is, I'm stuck. I can't find any effective free resources on studying endgames. If I were a 1000 and I could afford so, which endgame books should I buy?

I also can't see an endgame specialist or an expert tactician playing 1. e4 c6 2. a3?
uncovered
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14 Jul '13 22:52
My recommendation for beginners would be to (1)open the position and (2)rapidly develop... the best system that meets those needs would be the Panov Botvinnik Attack. IMO win or lose you will learn more than in the main lines.
ptobler
Patzer
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15 Jul '13 00:33
Originally posted by hamworld
Of course, you're very right greenpawn. Thing is, I'm stuck. I can't find any effective free resources on studying endgames. If I were a 1000 and I could afford so, which endgame books should I buy?

I also can't see an endgame specialist or an expert tactician playing 1. e4 c6 2. a3?
IMHO the best endgame book is "Fundamental Chess Endings" (Mueller and Lamprecht) - also "Secrets of Pawn Endings" (no coincidence - by the same authors)
~~robbie carrobie~~
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15 Jul '13 11:03
Originally posted by uncovered
My recommendation for beginners would be to (1)open the position and (2)rapidly develop... the best system that meets those needs would be the Panov Botvinnik Attack. IMO win or lose you will learn more than in the main lines.
Its quite interesting observation, The CK player must of course be able to meet all of these attempts, advance, panov botvinnic, exchange etc etc I myself like the CK but its a passive choice and is not to everyone's taste.

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beginners playing against the caro-kann