What’s the Best Way to React to the Caro-Kann?

If you're tired of opponents playing the Caro passively there's a queenside castling line called the Lobron System.

But be wary of a bizarre sacrifice, I can't find it now, I believe the move is Ba3 that ends the game for white.

There's also of course the alien gambit, but that's been doing the rounds online for quite a while so players are probably used to it.

if black wants a solid game ,there is little white can do to take it from him. You can try the Anti-caro with 2.c4 but black will still get a semi-closed position if he insists. Same with the panov botvinnik attack.

You can also try to learn some line of the advanced like the short variation although i never been too fond of giving black the kind of closed game he wants.

Personally, i like the two knights variation best. Most variations, white either gets a complex position where he retains a slight advantage. Or a simple position with a bishop pair. You really cant ask for much more vs the caro kahn.

If white wants to just get-a-game, a low-risk option that I frequently face is the Exchange Variation.

If I was going to choose an option, I'd choose any of the lines suggested in post #3 with me leaning towards the Two Knights if I still played 1.e4.

I just point and laugh

Anyone who plays the Advance French Steinitz-style but also wants a wacky time could consider the Fantasy Variation as White. 1. e4, c6; 2. d4, d5; 3. f3, e6; 4. e5, c5 (what else?); 5. c3 with f4 to come is one possible line. 1. e4, c6; 2. d4, d5; 3. f3, de; 4. fe, e5; 5. Nf3, Be6 (or else White has 6. Bc4 with a nice attack in the f-file and a2-g8 diagonal); 6. Nd2 can get interesting. 1. e4, c6; 2. d4, d5; 3. f3, Nf6 is the old Main Line (White usually has to sac a Pawn or end up playing N-e2-g3 at some point because of a weak e1-h4 diagonal) and so on. But I find the Main Line 1. e4, c6; 2. d4, d5; 3. Nd2*, de; 4. Nxe4 simplest to play and get a little nagging advantage from. *A slight finesse allowing White the option of playing Pc2-c3 if Black is minded to try any malarkey involving things like 3..., Nf6 intending to try for a Closed centre then ...,c5 attacking White's centre Pawns.

I have tried a lot of lines against the Caro Kan.

The line I enjoy playing the most is Exchange Variation.

I have always liked playing the Exchange for the win as white. I think white position is so easy to play.

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If people want to try a side line against the Caro Kan, I would probably recommend the 2.b3 line.

Well, you don’t necessarily need to play b3 on move 2.

I think it is playable move in general.

I’m not huge b3 player so I don’t know the exact move when playing it is considered best, but I do remember players who did specialize in the line to really enjoy it.

I have tried playing g3 against the Caro Kan, but it really feels bad because all the pawns are stacked against the Bishop on g2.

However, I think the b3 line is supposed to be better as the pawns don’t really obstruct the dark bishop on b2.