Its called the caro-kann defense. It is one of the more popular responses to e4. The idea is that the pawn on c6 can now support a push of the d pawn to d5.
It has a reputation for being extremely solid. I don't play it myself, but it is a popular opening.
caro kann
e4 c6 d4 d5 black aims for a better pawn structure in the endgame
Well, the idea is to spoil all fun for white and ruin the game with extra boring play.
My favorite response to e4. A nice, subtle waiting move. Black opens the d8-a5 file, and humbly begins a solid defence. I love c6 in response to e4.
In my opinion, the caro kann is slightly worse than the french, because after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5, black can get the queen's bishop out, but after that black is forced to play a french-like line a tempo down because of the c6-c5 move that black will inevitably play
I didn't say the french was bad. I just said that the caro(advance variation) is down a tempo from the french. If I were for some reason not able to play the sicilian, my next choice would be the french.
Btw, where would d6 go on your list?
Please help me understand this. I cannot see any value at all in black's decision 1. e4 c6.
Maybe I'm ignoring something blindingly obvious, but I've only been playing chess for about a month now, so I'm still a little rusty on strategy.
Thanks.
It creates asymmetry on the board, and supports a central push with d5. The same moves can be used to counter 1. d4 and is known as the Slav 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 while against 1. e4 it is known as the Caro Kann 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5
The positional genius and World Champion Karpov used the Caro very well. It is very difficult for White to penetrate Black's defense, and it often leads to an endgame, where if you're confidant of your endgame skills, you'll be just fine.
In my opinion, the caro kann is slightly worse than the french, because after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5, black can get the queen's bishop out, but after that black is forced to play a french-like line a tempo down because of the c6-c5 move that black will inevitably play
But the bishop is out of the pawn chain.
The idea is to create a favorable pawn structure for Black after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. ed cd 4. c3. Black's plan is to eventually play his a-pawn to a5 and his b-pawn to b4. This plan is called the minority attack.
After Black pushes the pawn to b4 White has three choices, but whatever he does he ends up with a weak pawn that Black can attack with his rooks.
If White lets Black trade pawns on c3 (1. ... bc 2 bc) the pawn on c3 will be exposed to attacks by Black's rooks on the c file.
If White trades pawns on b4, (1.cb ab)Black recaptures with his a-pawn and now the White pawn at a2 is exposed to attack by Black's rooks.
If White pushes his c-pawn to c4 (1. c3 dc) Black captures it with the d-pawn and now the White pawn on d4 is exposed to attack by the Black rooks.
The idea is to create a favorable pawn structure for Black after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. ed cd 4. c3. Black's plan is to eventually play his a-pawn to a5 and his b-pawn to b4. This plan is called the minority attack.
After Black pushes the pawn to b4 White has three choices, but whatever he does he ends up with a weak pawn that Black can attack with his rooks.
If White lets Black trade pawns on c3 (1. ... bc 2 bc) the pawn on c3 will be exposed to attacks by Black's rooks on the c file.
If White trades pawns on b4, (1.cb ab)Black recaptures with his a-pawn and now the White pawn at a2 is exposed to attack by Black's rooks.
If White pushes his c-pawn to c4 (1. c3 dc) Black captures it with the d-pawn and now the White pawn on d4 is exposed to attack by the Black rooks.
Everyone that plays the exchange variation has only 1 move avaliable to them
c4
Noone EVER plays c3
Five: If you're getting loads of open lines and superior pawn structure against the CK then black's doing something *really* wrong.
I'm not an authority on the subject but I've been known to play the CK occasionally. It's a decent enough choice for anyone who's a patient defender and a solid endgame player. It is fairly dull though, so if positional chess isn't your forte you should probably avoid it.
I never tried CK. But I consider myself a more defense player than an attacking player. Will you recommond trying CK?
I play the caro-kann defence all the time. Literally 90% of the time I face e4 as black I will play c6 then d5. It creates a strong queenside attack for black and just works all the time for me.
I don't get all the whining. What is so boring about the panov-botvinnik attack?
Yeah, the Panov-Botvinnik attack is nothing if not interesting; strictly not my cup of tea though.
I disagree with the people who find the Caro-Kann boring, I find it really awesome. I've had countless exciting games with the Caro-Kann, so I really don't get the hate. Maybe its just my style of play, but yeah. :P
probably wanted to move c5 but their mouse slipped and only went one square
In my opinion, the caro kann is slightly worse than the french, because after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5, black can get the queen's bishop out, but after that black is forced to play a french-like line a tempo down because of the c6-c5 move that black will inevitably play
The majority of GM's disagree with you. I'will quote GM Lev Alburt and GB Dzindzichashvili:
"In the french the light squared bishop is often hemmed in by its own pawns. In the Caro-Kann, that bishop is free and will soon move to f5."
the caro-kann was created when someone put his pawn on the wrong square when trying to play the sicilian. It is generally used by strong players to mock weaker players, "I can play this crap and still beat you"!
I still lovingly refer to my Caro Kann as a "Baby Sicilian" from time to time.
Please help me understand this. I cannot see any value at all in black's decision 1. e4 c6.
Maybe I'm ignoring something blindingly obvious, but I've only been playing chess for about a month now, so I'm still a little rusty on strategy.
Thanks.