Caro-Kann Defense
1.e4 c6
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The Caro-Kann Defense is known above all for its solidity. The
defining move, 1...c6, is the fourth most popular reply to 1.e4 and
nearly twice as common as the number five move. It prepares for
2...d5 without blocking in the light-squared bishop, which is
considered the main drawback of its cousin the French Defense (1.e4
e6). A standby for positional players at almost every level, the Caro-
Kann was a particular favorite of world champion GM Anatoly
Karpov.
Starting Position
The Caro-Kann begins with 1.e4 c6, with most variations
continuing 2.d4 d5. Either one of these is usually considered the
starting position for the Caro-Kann.
Pros
Sound pawn structure
Free light-squared bishop
Safe and solid
Cons
Less space for black
Slower development
There are many different responses for White
Variations
The Caro-Kann is a somewhat complicated opening with several
respected variations. On White's second move, 2.d4 is by far the
most common. The main exception to know is the Two Knights
Defense (1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3).
White's third move is where the Caro really branches out. White has
no fewer than five popular choices here.
Classical Variation
3.Nc3 is White's most common choice by a narrow margin over 3.e5.
Black almost always captures with 3...dxe4, with White making the
obvious reply 4.Nxe4. White can also reach these lines with 3.Nd2
when 3...dxe4 4.Nxe4 transposes.
From here, the game can go in several respected directions but
4...Bf5 is Black's most popular, and this is the Classical Variation.
Black very reasonably develops the light-squared bishop, which is
why the move ...e6 has been avoided to this point in the first place.
White can, and often does, chase the bishop, but this weakens the
kingside.
Karpov Variation
The Karpov Variation is 4...Nd7. It is named after—no surprise here—
Anatoly Karpov. Black prepares to develop the other knight to f6, but
without having to recapture with a pawn.
That said, this move isn't absolutely necessary, and White is under no
obligation to take on f6. In fact, after 5.Nf3 Nf6, White plays 6.Ng3
almost as often as 6.Nxf6 and scores far better with it, in part
because the bishop remains boxed in on c8, just by the knight on d7
instead of a pawn on e6.
Almost as common as 4...Nd7 is the immediate 4...Nf6, even though
it results in doubled pawns.
4...Nf6 Variations
White can play 5.Ng3 but 5.Nxf6 is the most popular and most
challenging move. Black can capture towards the center with 5...gxf6,
known as the Bronstein-Larsen Variation (after GMs David
Bronstein and Bent Larsen), or away from the center with 5...exf6,
the Tartakower Variation (after GM Savielly Tartakower). The former
is a more dynamic choice in exchange for a shattered pawn structure.
The latter, while obviously also resulting in doubled pawns, is still
more solid and less compromised. Both moves are about equally
popular.
How to recapture after 5.Nxf6 is mostly a matter of taste and at high
levels, each move is played equally often. It is worth noting that
5...exf6 draws 38% of the time vs. only a 27% draw rate for 5...gxf6.
Advance Variation
White does not have to play Nc3 on move three. The aptly named
Advance Variation, 3.e5, is White's sharpest and best-scoring
continuation. GM Vladimir Kramnik used it to retain his classical
world champion title against GM Peter Leko in the 14th and final
game of their 2004 match.
The three most popular continuations after 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5
all score well despite taking different approaches to the position:
4.Nc3 is the Shirov Variation with the main idea of playing g4 and
advancing on the kingside; 4.h4 is the Tal Variation and takes a
different path to kingside expansion; and 4.Nf3 is the Short Variation,
aiming for a more positional struggle.
Exchange Variation
When White captures on d5, it is known as the Exchange Variation.
After the obvious 3...cxd5--if planning on recapturing with the queen,
Black should have just played the Scandinavian (1...d5)--White can
either play 4.Bd3 or the much sharper 4.c4 (as seen below).
When White plays 4.Bd3 the goal is a quiet game. It is much rarer at
higher levels than the other main move because Black gets a good
game.
After exchanges on d5, White plays either 4.Bd3 for the Exchange
Variation or 4.c4 for the Panov-Botvinnik Attack.
Panov-Botvinnik Attack
The latter of these moves is known as the Panov-Botvinnik Attack,
with similar positions to the Queen's Gambit. White usually gets
an isolated queen's pawn.
Fantasy Variation
The Fantasy Variation, 3.f3, comes in a clear fifth but the move scores
well. White prepares to recapture on e4 with the f-pawn, thus
maintaining two pawns in the center instead of just one, a much
different pawn structure than Caro players are usually going for.
How to Play Against the Caro-Kann
The Advance Variation scores 43% for White against 30% for Black.
The Fantasy Variation, at 44% to 33%, fares almost as well, but much
of its value is as a surprise weapon. The Advance Variation,
meanwhile, is a move that Black must be prepared for, and it still
scores well. It is also very sharp with relatively few draws compared
to most Caro-Kann lines.
The position after 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 dxe4 4.fxe4, where White wins
a whopping 57% of the time. Black should play either 3...e6 (a move
earlier) or the even better-scoring 3...Qb6 instead of 3...dxe4.
Also a surprisingly effective way for White to meet the Caro-Kann is
with 2.c4 instead of 2.d4. It may be an even better surprise weapon
than the Fantasy Variation, as White still wins 44% of the time but
only loses 23%. A lot of times 2.c4 will transpose into the Panov-
Botvinnik Attack.
