Caro-Kann or Sicilian?

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E_Check

What do you guys think is better or like to play more? Post your favorite variations!

pskogli

I hate both, but if I had to chose, Sicilian - the dragon (g6-Bg6- 0-0)

rednblack

The two openings are very different, so it would depend a lot on your style of play.  I learned chess defense against 1. e4 with Caro-Kahn as it's pretty solid and defensible, but I've heard from some people that it is not a good first defense to learn as black.  The Sicilian, on the other hand is more tactical and aggressive. 

I'm just now starting to learn the Sicilian, but if I had to choose one response to 1. e4 it would be the French defense, so I guess in regards to your question, I'm punting.

MapleDanish

Both are highly respectable defenses used by top GM's fairly regularly.  Black seems to be holding his own better in the Sicilian.  I play neither, opting for closed ruy positions.

E_Check
rednblack wrote:

The two openings are very different, so it would depend a lot on your style of play.  I learned chess defense against 1. e4 with Caro-Kahn as it's pretty solid and defensible, but I've heard from some people that it is not a good first defense to learn as black.  The Sicilian, on the other hand is more tactical and aggressive. 

I'm just now starting to learn the Sicilian, but if I had to choose one response to 1. e4 it would be the French defense, so I guess in regards to your question, I'm punting.


 I as well learned the sicilian first, and its many variations( the dragon is okay but im not a fan). I personally like the french as well, but im an aggresive player. I hear about people talking about the slav and the caro-kann and i wanted to see what everyone though, to see if id like it myself.

ozzie_c_cobblepot

Those two openings are about as different as openings can be. As black in a Caro-Kann I'm comfortable in most of the lines, including advance, Panov, Two Knights, Smyslov main line, Fischer exchange (least ambitious).

As white I would play the Panov attack. It's remarkably similar to, and often transposes directly with, the Queen's Gambit.

rednblack

Here's one of my favorite variations of the caro-kahn to play as black.  It's also one that I've had a lot of success with, both OTB and online