Caro-Kann theory

I don't know if it is only me, but i feel that theoreticans over the years don't look enough at caro-kann lines. I mean, if you look at the sicilian defense, or any 1.d4 lines, they are invented and calculated for years, people know any stupid sideline till about 15th move, and the caro kann divides in really a few ways, has a couple of main lines which end in about move 12, and there is not such a big number of lines anyhow, especially for the main line (advance variation got at least quite a bit of theory)

So, will it not be a good idea for theoreticans and strong chess players to research the caro-kann a bit more, and discover its secrets?

Some people will say that everything there has already been found, but ironicly, that's what people thought even at the end of the 19th century and a bit after in capablanca times, that everything at opening theory was found and there is nothing more to look at, until the hypermodern school came.

So i suggest, maybe we'll look a bit more for caro-kann theory?

Bump. You don't have to invent here any kind of theory, just tell if you agree or not.

I disagree, there is lots of theory in the CK, it just doesn't have the forcing nature of other King pawn lines.  

Is because no Super GM's are playing the Caro-Kann atm. Karpov was the last.

@varelse1 It was played in the World Championship. Doesn't that count? While it isn't the pet defense of any super-GMs currently (although quite a few GMs, notably Alexey Dreev), it has been played at that level plenty of times.

I agree, caro kann was played during the WC. Should definatly have more theory.

It's just out of favor.   In 15 years it will be the most popular, then fall out of favor again.  If you look back, chess is full of ups and downs for most every opening.   

I play caro all the time, find it completely satisfactory.

I've recently switched from Sicilian/1..e5 to the Caro. I've found it really successful thus far, but definitely have a lot more theory to read/study. 

I agree with Unmaster that it's simply out of favour. It'll be back when some Super-GM finds a juicy line in it, then people will attempt to refute that line and people will find refutations to those refutations etc etc and it will be one of the most popular defenses for years. 

If a Super GM wants to play for a win with Black, they play the Sicilian.

If a Super GM wants to play for a draw with Black, they play 1...e5 (Petroff/Berlin/Marshall, etc.)

The CK can be played solidly or dynamically, but at top level there are openings better suited for each these purposes.

So when Keres played it against Fischer, what was he thinking?

Variety/Surprise/Taste

When Bobby was young, the Soviets all pointed to the Caro as his weakness. Because he was playing the two-knights back then. Which they did not fear.

Are people seriously interested in compiling a bunch of theoretical lines here? If so, I can help, but I suggest we divide the workload. I have my personal files to contribute if there's any interest.

Int'rest? Oyez, there's int'rest all righ'y.

I'm interested in the theory of the Caro-Kann.  Are there any books that provide good textual explanation of the main concepts that black is striving for in the variations of the Caro?  It would be useful for me at my level to understand the concepts, as well as know the theoretical lines.

Thanks,

Mark

I think Starting Out: The Caro-Kann by Joe Gallagher (2002) has more textual explanation than any of the books below, but all of them have at least some of that sort of thing.

https://web.archive.org/web/20140627062050/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen45.pdf

Grandmaster Secrets - The Caro-Kann by Peter Wells (2007)

https://web.archive.org/web/20140626234756/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen104.pdf

Grandmaster Repertoire 7: The Caro-Kann by Lars Schandorff (2010)

https://web.archive.org/web/20140627070808/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen137.pdf

The Caro-Kann: Move by Move by Cyrus Lakdawala (2012) (advocates 3 Nc3 de 4 Nxe4 Nd7)

https://web.archive.org/web/20140627015516/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen163.pdf

Opening Repertoire: The Caro-Kann by Jovanka Houska (2015) (advocates 3 e5 c5)

http://www.chessmastery.co.uk/chess-books/book-review-the-caro-kann-opening-repertoire/

Thanks for the informative reviews of these books ylblai2. I was unaware of the Gallagher and Wells books and that would have been a shame to miss those.

Looks like an approach would be to read them in this order:

Gallagher

Wells

Lakdawala

Houska

and Schandorff..........as your play improves and you get more comfortable with the opening. Granted the Houska and Schandorff books may offer differing opinions on the repertoire offered to the advanced player. However, the first three look like they would offer me plenty of textual concepts along with good analysis.

If you have money to spend on chess.com, then I highly recommend the Sam Shankland lectures on chess.com on the Caro.

But if you don't, then without having seen the book itself I can tell you that Peter Wells is a pretty good author who might help you out.

Wow, a new part of Chess.com I hadn't discovered yet.  Thanks for the tip.