90% of players quit the Caro-Kann because of this

[@AlexBanzea]

Caro-Kann course on sale: www.chessable.com/the-caro-kann-simplified/course/171080/

[@CKozub11]

Buy it. NOW! You will thank me.

[@CheckmateSurvivor]

The game of chess is becoming obsolete. I have created my own 11x11 chess variant. Please watch my latest video for some insane chess openings.

[@benvanasse3397]

I did and I concur @@CKozub11

[@scottdurkee3833]

@@benvanasse3397 does your little brain come up with its own thoughts?

[@Willeinhelm]

My first course I bought on chessable. Supporting you as well 👍

[@jongler9775]

Your understanding of the beginner's mind is second to none.

[@hdthor]

He’s so good at understanding the beginner’s mind that he failed to fork the king and bishop with his queen to A5 and grab a free bishop. 3:08

[@bert1832]

​@@hdthorYou must be low elo. White just develops the knight.

[@plsm7514]

@@hdthor thats not a fork, white just blocks with knight and defend the bishop. you must be 500 elo

[@googooboyy]

Caro Kahn is like strapping yourself with a timebomb and hope the opponent blunders with excitement.

[@gomtv5383]

Love the visualisation of alternative lines as you explain them.

[@theherk]

I’m confused by it. Generally while playing, this sort of visualization is done via highlights and arrows. This is actually having an engine up during play, isn’t it? I suppose since it is a training account the opponents rating isn’t actually at stake though.

[@gomtv5383]

@@theherk no my guy, it's edited in.

[@theherk]

@@gomtv5383 oh I’m probably just dumb, but since his mouse stopped moving in the main game window and the voice description coincided so precisely with the overlay, I must have been mistaken.

[@joelabraham6834]

I would be so mad if someone waited til they had 5 seconds left. Then suddenly destroyed me lol

[@aesaehttr]

(Magnus adjusting pieces until the last 5 seconds)

[@nadirqg]

He will feel better when he knows that his opponent's rating on his main account is 2665

[@ViolentJ117]

if it was anyone other than Alex id be screaming cheater repeatedly

[@yissssss]

@@ViolentJ117 I assume his accounts he uses for these videos get reported for cheating quite a bit hahah

[@drbinglederry9785]

1:50 “Probably that’s why you’re hard-stuck at 1000.” Damn, I felt that. 😂😂

[@fatlossformen]

I WAS ABOUT TO SAY. The audacity to tell it like it is.

[@Narratick]

Second game has 2 "en passant" and a Knight promotion.. pretty entertaining! I love your vids, I just wish you'd post content more often! :p (especially jobava and caro-kann games)

[@AiR1DaN]

Good call. More jobava!

[@pathofmelee6746]

I play the caro from 1000-1100 when i came back to chess, now I reached 2000ish, but i don't like to play online anymore, sometimes in tournament games i beat 2200-2300 (online rating) players, the caro is really good to learn every skill in chess, lately I don't enjoy it as much because my opponents know a lot of theory and i don't get any chances for a win, maybe i need to know more than them or something but hey i will definitely play it again at the right moment or when I'm tired

[@douglasgoulding6860]

What do you play with black now?

[@pathofmelee6746]

@@douglasgoulding6860 still caro kan 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@pathofmelee6746]

@@douglasgoulding6860 but seriously, I try Alekhine lol

[@yzfool6639]

That's my observation too. Against sound play, the Caro is one of the few main openings against 1.e4 where you don't get an attacking position. White gets plenty though.

[@BBeowulf]

⁠​⁠@@yzfool6639I guess it depends on your style of play. I find caro kann very easy compared to most openings and beat most people pretty easy with it because every move feels natural to me. I used to play Sicilian dragon and it’s variations for e4 but I never felt that comfortable with it and my game as black immediately improved when I switched.

[@oopalonga]

Alex--ur channel BLEW UP finally (i haven't watched a vid of urs for some time, but u helped me from 1400-1800 in blitz chess using caro -kahn + london). I KNEW u were going to get big tho b/c even when ur channel was small u were knocking out banger vids. thank u brother!

[@Rydmore22]

Just pulled the trigger on the chess able course. Love this channel.

[@ChessJourneyman]

Glad to see you're pumping out more of your trademark content that helped me reach 2000. Nice, detailed commentary, complemented with sharp editing, all an improving player has to do is take notes. Cheers for all the content you produce, I'm sure it will help many more people improve their chess game.

[@jefftaylor1186]

If I quit the Caro-Kann because of the hillbilly attack(like in the thumbnail), I’d be missing out on free wins. I have to check my game archive, but I’m 99% sure I’ve NEVER lost against it

[@kaybee2286]

How do you usually respond to the hillbilly? It’s so annoying!! I try to trap the bishop usually but it doesn’t always work. Edit: after d5 is played I mean. I usually go a5 threatening the bishop right away.

[@michaelflaherty3202]

just play d5 and continue on like normal. you can't trap the bishop but you gain a move threatening it.

[@jefftaylor1186]

@@kaybee2286 You just develop with tempo attacking the bishop. Worst case scenario is Bg5+ happens and you have to trade bishops.

[@prakasavigraha6104]

Good tuition once again Alex. Much appreciated.

[@jms4406]

Very helpful man. I'm at 1900, but have been over 2000s on rapid games but would quickly plummet. Helps hearing you connect the dots on these openings

[@teenspirit1]

As a person perpetually stuck at 600, whenever I watch a video from this channel, subsequently I get a very nice satisfying win in online chess. But it doesn't carry over to the next game and the genius is gone.

[@bubbahottep8644]

I'm remembering the heart-pounding sensation as my opponent's ticks down to one second, and imagining the sinking sensation as he wriggles out of my "clever" trap and proceeds to find every move with 8 seconds or less on his clock.

[@iloveyou-cd1kv]

Man i don't know how to thank you i started following you when i was 200elo and now a month later I'm close to a 1000!!

[@joerokcz]

How do you behave so calm with even 1sec in your hand😂😂😂😂

[@tiendaweii]

I've enjoyed several informative, witty vids lately and I love how the closest featured game I've seen here - not because of time but because of play - was with a 1400 player. Anyone can have a goood day, with some goood plays.

[@Relisoc4]

I used to like not castling in the caro, pushing my h and g pawns and going for a mating attack. I swear that has to still be good in some lines but it mostly stopped being good for me at 1400ish

[@jayquin85]

Alex should have atleast a million subscribers. Quality content!

[@erichobbs4042]

So excited for the Jobava interview 😊

[@HCW2855HCW]

Love to hear you are not dumping us - at least not yet! HA! Really love the Jobava Caro Shows!

[@mirricano]

Just bought the course! I really appreciate your content and happy to take advantage of the discount!!!

[@walterbrownstone8017]

When I play 1500 level players I mostly lose on time because they never give up even after they lose the queen!

[@DrG00se9]

Did the account get reported? The game seemed to just be an 1800 rapid who knew his f4 caro and fairly quiet over all. Look at his time usage, it's not super clear. Anyway, great vid. I love the long caro climbs .its great to see the lines I try to play go past the opening and see the endgame squeeze.

[@cliftonbland1578]

How about at the time of the blunder 9:55, pawn takes b4, white pawn re-takes b4, rook takes a1, white rook re-takes a1, black rook c1 check, white has now lost the queen.

[@everythinginfullspectrum8625]

I got a feeling that last one was a pro on, playing against Caro-kann... or maybe, just maybe he just played the game of his/her life...🙃

[@camicees]

I left this channel to focus on playing CK a lot more and now im back it all makes sense.

[@AlexBanzea]

How is it going?

[@js-chess]

Game 1: Best set up for Black here is Bd6 with Ne7 not Nf6. Game 2: 5...Bxb5 is not forced 5...e6 and 6...Qb6 is interesting. Game 3: 4.dxc 4...e6 here is the best move... So... no problem for Black here in the Caro Kann.

[@greenlineexpress8213]

6:45 Alex: "Funny Move" Engine: "Brilliant Move"😂😂

[@someguyontheinternet7628]

Guys.....buy the caro course full vid. You will slaughter any e4 player below 1200 blitz. Slaughter effortlessly.

[@pathofmelee6746]

Even below 2000, don't worry lol

[@EcstaticMonkey98]

@@pathofmelee6746Even after 2000, don’t worry lol

[@EcstaticMonkey98]

@@pathofmelee6746I play it at 2000 it is a profit

[@astronemir]

After 1800 you shouldn’t only play the simplified version.

[@kitsune090]

1200? This is your start rating... why would you study an opening to beat people as bad as you or worse? It's unnecessary... a waste of time.

[@rpralica]

Alex lessons are really excellent. For example in this video he clearly explains the best ways to play for black. Thanks Alex.

[@Willeinhelm]

My first course which I bought on Chessable. Supporting you as well , from creator to creator 🫶🏼

[@sliceserve234]

the back rank joke made the video. i also enjoy when you look with the engine after the games and your mistakes are revealed, you do not accept that they were mistakes. somehow all the really strong players are this way.

[@marcelovelludo191]

you explain the things pretty clear, good videos!

[@jayeeduran7227]

thank u so much for this caro kann repertoire coach ❤❤

[@daboyez8138]

Yes more Caro-Kann videos!!

[@FloydMaxwell]

The last two players were suspect. Especially the last one.

[@R.Akerman-oz1tf]

There are anomalies, then there is suspicion. Yes, quite questionable.

[@tahmeedchowdhury0007]

Congrats on 69k subscribers Alex!

[@technomusicchannel1]

i stuck on 1500 in rapid for months ... how to go trough that ?

[@adhinegoro7144]

when i first play caro or french. i hated it cause it gets too closed and stiff position like im getting suffocated slowly. after months playing it i kinda like it. i think the key of caro opening is to keep the tension and wait for the right time

[@darkman5564]

11:13 knight to d2, force trade the bishop and you get to hunt the pawns and invade with your dark square bishop to eat dark square pawns

[@gsmith7015]

At my 1400/1500 blitz level I do well with the hillbilly wayward queen thingy against the caro kann. If they know what they're doing I just end up a pawn down and underdeveloped but in general, people dont.

[@Master_of_Chess_Shorts]

I love the Caro-Kann, still going to play it.

[@darkman5564]

3:16, check with queen, black has to protect with knight to c3, we do bishop to b4, blow the bish up....grab a better middle, queen already deep in enemy territory have fun. Bigger the chaos YOU CREATE, higher chances of winning.

[@dennymac850]

Hey Alex, today's vid was great. Love the wooden spoon! The new one is nice, but the original big ass spoon is the best. Nothing better than laughing while learning. Great delivery buddy. And the Caro holds up against Stockfish! Lol, awesome. Thanks for the laughs & the videos keep em comin

[@theherk]

How do you add the overlay board in the top right? Is it just switching to a scene with another window or is it added as a composite in post, because your mouse moves off the main game window and the movements match your calculation perfectly. Genuinely curious how you accomplish that. Anyway, great video as always. I'll be sure to forget everything immediately as usual.

[@nickknight8065]

The "back ranked" joke was just top shelf. 😂😂😂

[@jampubharadwaj9374]

This guy is good. His instruction is good for an advanced player as well.

[@KlausToth]

I liked the opponent's humour in game two very much, who promoted his pawn to a pony 🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎❤

[@kaidoChess]

Last dude seemed sus.. I looked at his account

[@tomaszgrabski6661]

Ouu man, awesome channel. Great explanations. And I love your accent :-D Im so lucky that I found this video today at 1 am xD I should find it before.... Who knows, maybe now is the best time for my next chess steps. I bet i will watch all of Your videos. Excellent job, You gained a new fan. Regards from Poland \m/

[@AlexBanzea]

Big d energy

[@research.math.insights]

This what have been looking for, since Queen Side Caro-Kann..thank you 🙇‍♂️☺️

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

I give away my entire repertoire, which is flawless through around move 20 and 25 pages (maybe 12-15 lines to remember). Openings are ridiculously overcomplicated by people who sell crap courses to players who'll never amount to anything.

[@dropsadominik9923]

Hey, that wooden spoon from Budapest really caught me by surprise! Currently watching this video from Budapest. Great work, keep it up! 😁

[@AlexBanzea]

make sure to visit the city more than I did!

[@kimpo2490]

In the situation at 3:15 in the video. Why is Qa5+ and then Qxb5 not the best alternative?

[@jasonkay6370]

White can simply move out his knight to simultaneously block the check and guard the bishop. If the queen captures the bishop, the knight is no longer pinned to the king and can capture the queen.

[@KenpachiRyuk]

I played a 1. E4 C6 2. D4 D5 3. C4 DXE4 It transposed into a slav defense: diemer gambit which I had no clue what that was. Do I need to study some slav opening just in case?

[@vairpalefroi]

Nice format of the video when you explain your online gameplay!

[@planezero]

Hi Alex, how is it going with the Jobava course?

[@1Baza22]

Good educational video, after game 3 I have to say that I have played at 90+% a few times especially after watching your content, and I'm low rated elo, does that mean I'm suspicious. Or maybe lower elo is just catching up now? with all these videos like your ones out there, it is certainly helping players that take it in (me included). However like me, I can play perfect games and then get a 40% accuracy because I miss things like a mate in 1 for 5-6 moves of the game, or just get cheesed by players, because we don't expect those types of moves lol.

[@LatteEsportsLeague]

“It doesn’t matter the rating as long as you make the best moves”. For me it’s like “it doesn’t matter the rating if you only make bad moves” lol😅 When can we expect the jobava course?

[@davidb6016]

Hey Alex, Do you have anything in the works for Black against 1. d4? Something to complement the CK?

[@AA-pk6fo]

Englund gambit works nicely

[@AlexBanzea]

kzbin.info/aero/PLy7vABK_JsyPeE-Bivc113GOjuD-hR02s

[@frankvanbussel4226]

Thanks for the supply of more Caro kann video’s

[@Wryyyyyyyyy21]

I genuinely feel bad for Alex for not buying his course and watching all the playlists free. If i were not a student,i would probably buy it.

[@lgaynor1]

There is nothing sweeter than getting checkmated on the back rank when you were crushing your opponent. Ha!! Thank you Alex for that and the wooden spoon.

[@AlexBanzea]

Do that one more time and I’ll have to reveal the name haha

[@marionmoreno6293]

Thank u sir my name is marlon moreno from phillipines im always watching ur vedio my game was improve the caro khann

[@jayeeduran7227]

coach Can u plsss make a another video for slav defense? and counter the london system?

[@JarnoToivonen]

Hello Alex. Have been watching your videos a lot. Love´em. Consentrated on the Caro-Kann defence for black. Haven´t played a while but today, OMG. First I draw, but the next. WOW. Won by 95,8 accuracy just using your methods. The game played itself. Did not have to think much 😂. Took a picture of the analysis and gonna frame it and put it up on a wall 😃 Anyways, thanks a lot.

[@JarnoToivonen]

My elo is 800-900 in rapid.

[@2Complex2]

0:00 Stockfish on 2nd monitor? 17 missed calls from Vladimir

[@garp9433]

Last game wasn’t a cheat, I came up with all the moves. Excuse the position was never super complicated by any tactic imo, but I’m like 2000

[@tomphillpotts]

"I will never dump you, okay. Or at least not yet." 😆😆😆

[@nesilaros3615]

Didn't really played on the queen side apart from game 1. Maybe in a future video :) ?

[@TruthSurge]

you look like you're from Finland or nearby.

[@njstone9]

Alex! You keep talking about your "upcoming" Jobava course! When is it coming? Please, I beg you - let me buy it soon!

[@zainmalik7214]

Please Make a video about what to do with D4 opening? I always abort 🤣

[@ironmind_hq]

bro just casually talking as his time is ticking and he's in check and playing a blitz game 😂

[@igorche369]

In one of your videos you said Bc8-f5 lead to a many game variations after and better to put bishop on g4. Sounds a bit controversial.

[@christo_tall4203]

I didn’t wanna leave a dumb comment because I think you’re really smart but on game two at the very end when you checked him with the queen, would it have been better to bring the rook down ladder style and then just shove your queen in his hole on the next move and if he steps towards the queen, it’s mate anyways because you brought the rook down or is what you did just slightly better

[@snortingnesquik3470]

Hi Alex. Do you think you could put together a video on ways for Black to reliably transpose 1. d4 into Caro Kann positions?

[@AlexBanzea]

It's impossible, but if you want something simple, take a look here: kzbin.info/aero/PLy7vABK_JsyPeE-Bivc113GOjuD-hR02s

[@thepoofication]

At 28:00 why not exchange the bishop and the knight (his rook is moved to a bad square imo)? Great instructive video as always

[@AlexBanzea]

That was better, but I thought I’m winning the rook (forgot taking on f6 comes with check) 🤦‍♂️

[@thepoofication]

@@AlexBanzea Thought so, thanks!

[@NumberNinjaDave]

Your channel is superb. Keep it up, man 🎉

[@tom2678]

First game, why not check the king with the queen and snag the bishop?

[@marcuscook5211]

Bro wins with 4 seconds on the clock on a regular basis

[@stevecole6485]

Why did it seem as though RxNc5 was a blunder on blacks part… not a white blunder with Nc5 preferring a queen trade

[@petercofrancesco9812]

You might have gotten stockedfished in the last game 19 best moves... The temptation to beat the teacher is irresistible

[@simonprovencher6007]

do you know when the jobava course should come out? cant wait!

[@therealMolochko]

Hi Alex, this is my first video of yours I've seen, very good content. Love the explanations. I have a question. In game 2 at 28:10 did you not see 28...Kd4 for the rook fork or is there something I don't see that's not to like about that move?

[@AlexBanzea]

That’s what I played for initiallly, but realised there was Rxf6+ (and I was like, whooops)

[@therealMolochko]

@@AlexBanzea Thanks for the response! I understand the explanations get less detailed as time gets short and now re-watching that moment I can see your thinking now. Of course the fork doesn't work! Thanks again for explaining. I'll keep watching your channel!

[@BobCliffe]

Great video Alex, thanks!

[@almaanAIR1]

perfect!!! exactly what advice I needed

[@FrancescoCarucci]

Dude, you are good at this. Funny and instructive :)

[@Mike-mm4mx]

after nb2 then a5xa4 why didn't the white knight simply take the rook on c4 instead of a3xb4? have I missed something?

[@pramodkumarnarayanan9520]

In second game..Alex U missed taking the bishop when he played f4...😅😅😅

[@AlexBanzea]

it was defended, but yeah it was better haha

[@HarijsHelvigs]

I finally remembered what he remainded me of- remember those aliens in Tim Allen movie Galaxy Quest?

[@calmarcalmar]

good - especially eith 1.5 faster video-speed

[@jasonwolfe2991]

Ok, I have a way to help myself remember this rule, but I'm gonna needs some green paint.

[@kamilzdun7542]

12:17 I got jumpscared by loud music on headphones xD Great video as always, Alex. Do you have any plans for showing how to play QGD from the black perspective? It would be great to see how you play d4 d5 positions as black in the next speedrun.

[@amfulger]

For a while back he was recommending the Slav defense seen as a reverse London. There is also a recent video where he plays the King's Indian against all non-e4 openings. Yes, I know, it's not a d4 d5.

[@companyjoe]

You nailed the voice in my head! 5. h3!! ... and black resigns.

[@luckymagudulela5395]

The last "paid actor" really gave you a run for your money🤣🤣🤣

[@mohamedsalem2427]

Hey Alex does the CK course cover the Von Henneing and the alien gambits?

[@AlexBanzea]

it has the alien gambit yeah

[@mohamedsalem2427]

@@AlexBanzea thank you