THE CARO-KANN

The obvious benefit of the Caro-Kann, responding to [1. e4 ...], is that it avoids getting stuck in another awful Fried Liver. Rather than playing the symmetric game, the Caro-Kann is immediately defensive and offers an inexperienced white player a whole new set of problems. Black responds with [1. e4 c6]. This is where the Caro-Kann begins and is followed by d5.

Of course, white does not need to take the other centre square [2. d4...], but this would be the most common opening sequence of events. We are then faced with the first two variations; the advance and the exchange variations - [3. e5] and [3. exd5 cxd5] respectively.

What variation is played will be entirely a matter for white to decide. So, we have to be prepared for either eventuality. We will take a closer look at these next on the blog. What is important at this point is that we familiarise ourselves with the opening and the most popular variations. How we open is important, as it will shape the rest of the game.

Jason Michael McCann