Battling the Caro-Kann

Hey y'all,

As a strict 1. e4 player, I obviously need to be well prepared to handle 1 ... c5, 1 ... e5, 1 ... e6, and 1 ... c6 as necessary.  I have plenty of experience taking on those first 3 openings, but less preparation with the Caro-Kann.  My question is then, what system do you prefer after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5?  The big choices are 3. Nc3 vs 3. exd4 and then a number of divergences following Black's recapture 3 ... cxd4.

As an attacking player, I am looking for a sharper line, regardless of how theory intense it may be.  I've played both 3rd move's for White a bit and had some experience with the Panov-Botvinnik attack, but have yet to find a particular line I'm happy with.

Thoughts?

If you're looking for a really sharp line, try some of the advance caro-kann stuff. Advantages: 1) compared to the Panov and classical mainline, you get to choose how to follow up (whereas black decides the playground in the panov and the classical main-line) and 2) you are guaranteed to get a complicated game.

If you read my post... You'd know I've played that and how unsatisfactory I've found most of the lines.  Thanks though for ignoring what I wrote.

EDIT: To erikido.  I was not referring to that.  There was another post made by another member that was deleted.  His post showed a Panov attack diagram and referred me to play the Panov-Botvinnik.  My post was only meant to get people off the Panov train.

 I read it and was going to give the same recommendation.  The panov attack is not the advance variation.  You indicated that you didn't like the panov.  You did not indicate anything concerning the advance variation. 

If you wish to get any answers from more knowledgable players than yourself then I would suggest you change your attitude and fast. 

Well, in that case....

I would recommend the advance variation as well.  I am just starting to study it myself so I won't recommend any lines.  However, a fantastic introduction (about 30 pages long with all the main ideas and structures)to it is in Kotronias's beating the caro kann (I haven't gotten into the meat of the book yet and it is old.  So I would probably follow up with karpovs book on the advance variation as well for some more up to date theory.  That is a book I have not looked at at all. HOwever silman seems to be impressed by it and suggests it for either side playing the advance variation.)

The advance has some very agressive (and positionally sound ideas behind it)  Give it a try- I think it is probably what you are looking for.

You can always try the Caro-kann Exchange variation. 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3. Caro kann players devote more time in preparing defenses for the advance rather than the exchange, I can say that because I had poor results when facing the exchange variation.

5 Bd3  is a gambit that doesnt score well at all for white : +23 = 20  -55  for 34 %

Tal discussed 5.Bd3 in his notes to Game 5 of his 1960 match with Botvinnik:

"There is an interesting gambit that should be tested: 5.Bd3!? Qxd4 6.Nf3 Qd8 7.Qe2 with a noticeable edge in development for the sacrificed pawn.  The value of the pawn here probably is not less than in many other variations of the Caro-Kann."

(During the match, he himself selected 5.Ng3.)

If you're interested in learning about playing against the Caro-Kann, and the 3.Nc3 lines in particular, that book (Tal-Botvinnik 1960) is a FANTASTIC resource.  Tal's annotations are excellent.