Caro-Kann: From 0 to 2000 with 3 simple concepts

[@AlexBanzea]

Link to my Caro speedrun: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKepXohvfdhlhJY

[@ramirobp8]

What a great way to start the day by opening KZbin and finding a new Caro-kann video. Love you Alex, thank you for all your content

[@davidstrachan8912]

Agree.

[@adamblomquist5581]

Best video yet! I have much better win rate with black than white thanks to this guys Karo. Now I need to switch from e4 to jobava once course comes out

[@victormbamara7465]

@@davidstrachan8912 👍

[@AverageClipsInc]

I hit 2000 rapid watching all these videos, you do such a great job of explaining the ideas rather than listing moves. Also what i appreciate the most is that you don't ignore the moves weaker players often play rather than only showing the best response for the opponent!

[@iliadivinsky6106]

I'm pretty sure everyone knows it already, but making videos using real games helps (me at least) understand the moves much better, rather than just watch some theoretical moves. On top of that, he plays against the rating of majority players, making it accessible to everyone. Really love it

[@-_Nuke_-]

Hello @RealHuman-g4p what was your rating before watching these videos?

[@justinacevedo4353]

2 things in life are certain… - Alex consistently dropping the best Caro content - Too much taxes coming out of my check

[@5TA1KR]

Be like Alex. .. too cheap to pay taxes

[@joshcherington9536]

"you have to stab the centre. this will be easy if you are from the UK" lmao

[@boeingfish]

can you explain this joke? thanks

[@jg3019]

​@@boeingfish 3 girls under 10 years old were stabbed to death about a week ago in the UK. Seems like a very dark joke to make 🤷‍♂️

[@dkol2000]

@@jg3019 he probably didn't have those girls in mind, not the first time stabbing happens in the UK. but yeah, the joke is pretty dark

[@melloken8282]

@@jg3019that is NOT what the joke was. it’s been a stereotype forever of knife crime and how common they are in the UK (especially london), he is simply making joke, not referencing that event.

[@jg3019]

@@melloken8282 thats exactly what the joke was. It's been a top headline on worldwide news for the last week. Definitely was referencing that event

[@boeingfish]

Hi Alex, I wanna personally say thanks to you! I played chess for a year and stuck at 1400 rapid, and I was London/Caro Kann system player Afterward, I stopped playing chess for a long while, until finding your channel recently. I managed to have around 70% winrate in recent 100 games and reach 1500 elo !! Your teaching is so good, it really feels like paid content I start to truly understand what those variations mean / their advantages I no longer blindly follow variations for variations sake Also your video is so much fun, I watched so many videos in no time I'm a content creator too, and your channel is very inspiring Really happy to find your channel, and wish you best of luck

[@shawnhorton2000]

Alex I’ve watched all your Caro videos multiple times and this one is the most instructive. Well done!

[@steveneldridge7247]

This might be the best chess opening video I've seen on KZbin. The simplicity of just explaining a "win condition" gives us beginners a clear plan for each structure, explaining clear concepts like weak pawns, open files, minority attack etc. Amazing Alex!

[@Manu-rt3mp]

Best Caro-Kann teacher ngl Its more of an understanding rather than yappin the notations from a book/website Wish I had similar opponents who would spare my queen mouse slip, only to defeat me terribly afterwards

[@mfaizanulhassan]

Started playing Caro Kann as an 800 learning from you only, now I'm 1620, thanks for the content. Would love to see some Scotch & Vienna games against higher rated opponents as well.

[@trevorkikambi9425]

I love that you've been gradually improving your video presentation since I started watching your channel about a year ago. You've helped me start my Free to play chess journey on KZbin all the way from a 600 to 850. Keep it up Alex. I'm not a chess addict but I hope to reach 1500 with your videos. Maybe I may join the Patreon to speed up my progress in the future. Keep it up Alex.

[@banzaiburger9589]

Love these CK videos drilling the main themes and ideas for our thick low elo skulls 😊

[@AlienBros]

The guy that instantly resigned after mouse slipping his queen probably facepalmed so hard when he saw you played a6.

[@r0bz0rly]

legit my heart broke for that dude lol

[@neeru7298]

This guy is the best chess teacher, no doubts about it. I love how he explains things for dummies like me. With his openings i ended up 5th place in a local blitz tournament, ahead of people way stronger than me on paper

[@mariussandor6289]

Great video as always, Alex! I bought your caro course this monday and I increased my elo by 200 in blitz (from 900 to 1100) with a 68% win rate as black (and not everybody played e4). I really like that cheat sheet from the end and maybe it would be great to have that kind of summary in the course as well, I think it would help a lot. Keep up the good work! Waiting for the Jobava London course so I can dominate as White as well :D

[@0Sammystanley0]

Just found this channel - first video of ve seen where this gentleman is clearly explaining his way of thinking. Proper transparency. Subscribed !

[@BrianFinnerty1]

Here is how to remember whether the black bishop on g4 should take or retreat if white plays h3. In theTartakower Variation, if white attacks the black bishop by playing h3, retreat the bishop and do not exchange. Why? In the Tartakower variation, black’s doubled pawns are a liability in the endgame. Therefore, black should avoid trading pieces (including the bishop) and try to attack the opponent’s king. In the advance variation, if white attacks the black bishop by playing h3, black should take the knight on f3. Why? In the advance variation, black’s strategy revolves around undermining and trying to capture white’s central pawns. White’s knight on f6 defends white’s pawn on d4; therefore black’s queen bishop should take the white knight on f3 to weaken the defence of d4. Finally, in the exchange variation, if the black bishop is attacked by h3, and if white has a bishop on b5 or a knight on c3, then black should then take the knight on f3. Why? The white pawn on d4 is vulnerable if white has a knight on c3, because the d4 pawn cannot be defended by a pawn on c3. Therefore, after white plays h3, black should remove the white knight on f3 defending the white pawn on d4. Also, if white has a bishop on b5, then white can put pressure on the black knight on c6, using the white bishop on b5 and moving the white knight to e5. Therefore, the black bishop on g4 should take the white knight on f3, to prevent it from putting pressure on black's knight on c6.

[@alexgiordano7143]

Best video on the Caro Kann so far, really well explained! Thanks Alex for these gems!

[@Namgyal]

Never heard of you before, but this is one of the greatest chess educational videos I have ever seen on youtube. Well done, and may you have a wonderful career as a teacher.

[@thetransferaccount4586]

alex banzea is brutalizing us with the best chess content

[@uchi5171]

best caro guide on youtube, most people just spit out stockfish moves

[@logman72]

Been watching you for 2 years now. I think you had like 10k subs. And now you're about to hit 100k!! The Jobava and Caro vids have taken me up to 1300 so far. Thank you!

[@CipDM]

Mulțumesc, Alex! Îmi place cum explici și lecțiile tale sunt foarte instructive. Continuă tot așa! Mult succes în continuare!

[@dadofonts]

Bro, I speak portuguese and I could understand what you wrote here. Cool to know Romanian is derived from Latin as well

[@nikitavarfolomeev6732]

I really like that you explain the strategy we should following with each variation, instead of only showing the moves

[@MehdiMeryem-d1e]

I'm getting better with your videos. Many thanks.

[@richnfamous59]

I really like your way of explaining why certain moves matter and how to exploit weaknesses. this is going to improve my Caro-Kann games a lot

[@Keykripo]

wow im a 800-900 rating player on lichess from germany and im just amazed how good your video is. I think beside some board vision and able to see the capture chains i really understood much of your video. really well done sir. Thank you for this video. i think i need to review it a few times but i play caro kann as my first opener for black so im really happy i found this.

[@bblurd-v3m]

From the UK, those first 10 seconds were spot on.

[@gooddaytoridemtb4562]

Great instructive video. I just started playing chess a year ago (never played prior) I’ve climbed to just over 1200, mostly by playing the Jabova London and in the last couple months studying the caro kann. Alex, you have taught me a lot. You have a gift for teaching/instructing. Thanks!

[@Raanra-m4l]

This is the best chess instruction I've ever found. Also I appreciate that You that You are not moving too fast, so that a relatively low rated player is able to follow along. But most I appreciative Your super-smart and intuitive approach, where You come up with very well explained and simple practical ways to improve one's ratings, without getting into huge mazes of complexities. That is, You do not always recommend "the best move," but the best one in actual praxis for a relatively low rated player. Also, I really like You easy humor. A lot of fun too ! Thank You !

[@mirkomisic5884]

Thank you for generously sharing your knowledge. Greetings from Serbia. Well done.

[@i3ullbum]

Best Caro Kann videos I've seen. Thanks.

[@matthew_cramer]

Thank you Alex. I came here after play the Caro for 5 months. These are the top 3 moves.

[@shawnsharma7]

This is genuine golden sauce 🔥 hands down the best video on caro-can available on KZbin. This is the first video I watched of you and straight away liking, subscribing, sharing and.. pressing the 🔔 bell icon 🔥🔥🔥🔥Thank you so much

[@AlexBanzea]

Welcome abroad!

[@Willeinhelm]

Still learning with your caro kann course. I love all variations , except the ones for fantasy Variation. Those are completely different from the spirit of the whole course (positional). Id like g6 Bg7 Variant as well, and not only Variants to beat low opponents fast. All in all your course is 10/10 ! These youtube Videos are also very helpful. Thank you for that.

[@Willeinhelm]

Also was trying e5 , sicilian, Scandinavian and others, but caro kann is the best for amateurs imo

[@oscarsalas2628]

One of the most instructive videos I've seen on the Caro Kann. Thanks Alex!

[@ITWorksSoftware]

I bought your Caro Kann course...love it! Your videos are really helpful! I love your teaching style. 👍 Always look forward to these!!

[@ContentPiano]

Thank you Alex. Great content, and calmly explained my favorite chess opening.

[@nionioniosmeg]

It's been longer than 10 years since I was first taught b5 as a concept - the minority attack. I had completely forgotten about it! Thank you from an amateur caro kann enjoyer.

[@paulonopa]

Pure pro. Oh yeah, and thank you for you sharp commentary. I love every bitter second.

[@StvB31459]

Ty for always repeating the Caro videos. I love them and seemingly always get a better position than my opponents. Thank you so much for not minding playing black

[@maxfn6893]

I just found your channel recently, the way you slowly speak and explain things consistently and repeatedly is very helpful since I am a beginner. Love the videos :DDD

[@vitorbighinzoli385]

Bro this was by far the best karo kan video I've ever watched thank you so much

[@DrKennyWang]

Fantastic video, Alex 🇷🇴

[@peanutbutter4166]

This video helped so much, I’ve always just been mindlessly playing the Caro khan and made all the mistakes you mentioned 🤦‍♂️. Learning the ideas with the Caro khan was super helpful :)

[@hansvonmannschaft9062]

You had my like and sub the moment you addressed a question that always annoyed me as well: What if they don't do what the book/video/stockfish/etc says, and play something else? And not only you addressed the question, you also gave a solution. So 1:49 into the 50 minute vid, and already very happy with it!👍🏼

[@robertw3658]

I've been watching a lot of your videos and it's made me get a completely winning position in most of my games (1600-1700). Unfortunately, I get so cocky that I stop paying attention and blunder my queen lol. So I've actually lost rating points, but I'll figure it out one day.

[@astronemir]

Time to do puzzles bro

[@haroonkhalid9462]

This is by far the most instructive caro kann video of yours I have ever watched being a avid caro player (1800 rt)

[@badcat3817]

This is insanely good. Thanks so much Alex!!

[@kingkillah101]

Another banger on a budget from IM Banzea! A+

[@FructuredEchoes]

The overviews in your videos are very useful. Great work.

[@thenorthorch]

Romanian here. Great job Alex!

[@VLADIMIRKOTUNOVICS]

Thanks for the great video, Alex! The short list of rules for variations on screen at the end of the video is a super cool idea! Make more content like this, please!

[@loganlara1180]

Count Banzea, I wanted to thank you for your caro kann and Jobava London guides. I have gained over 200 elo (600-800) in the past month and my last game I played, the computer rated me 1500. Thank you!

[@SubuNomo]

11:13 One of the best advice on backward pawn, for beginners like me. Thanks man!

[@dennymac850]

Great video Alex. And on the opponent's mouse slip, nice try giving him a6 (basically giving him a chance to correct it. I'll keep that type of move in mind for my games if a mouse slip happens, either way. Thanks.

[@nicholask2829]

I've never seen someone so happy to teach the Caro kann. I'm a new subscriber and love your content.❤🎉 If I ever make it to 1000 elo it's all coz of you!! Thanks so much 🥳

[@chrism3839]

21:51 I feel personally attacked.

[@AlexBanzea]

I'm watching you!

[@chrism3839]

@@AlexBanzea in all seriousness, this video is very helpful. It definitely helped cover some of the weaknesses I was having.

[@fullofitray]

Another fantastic video by my favorite you tuber! You are the best Alex!! I haven't played a game in months, but I always watch and love your videos! Keep up the great job and I always look forward to new content from you!!

[@kennylay2849]

I know it’s a newbie thing but just hit 1000 ELO in Blitz watching you! You by far have the best videos out here love everything you do!

[@selenocystein]

This was a very cool video Alex! From the beginning to the notes and the meditation ;)

[@wallyanimations]

Very, very good explanation. Thanks a lot.

[@Kenjitsuka]

Great to see this amazing content growing your channel!!! Caro forever!

[@jeffreyepiscopo]

Wow I just opened KZbin to this. Very excited for a new video on the Caro!

[@gdsfish3214]

Actually, at 47:35, Qxh3 is not precise due to the very tricky Bf4!, apparently Re4! first instead of Qxh3 is crushing and the line the engine suggests is quite beautiful.

[@CarlWGriffin]

I have your London and Caro courses. These are good supplementals. Much appreciated.

[@frankvanbussel4226]

Great video. I just watch all your videos and I know Jobava and Caro kann through and through. I don’t need stinky courses now

[@vnknomn8172]

WOW MAN YOU ARE GREAT ✨♥️ you explaining the openings better than hikaru😂

[@man_uel6887]

Best summary ever!!

[@b0bichabatka577]

Been a pleasure watching ur videos! 😊 PS: greetings from Bulgaria! 🙏🏻

[@Lelouch98]

You do very well explaining your thought processes simplistically for lower rated players to easier grasp the concepts

[@wookcookie6505]

Epic video. Never learned more in my life not even in school. And the simple concepts to remember are great

[@Benjamin-ku1qx]

I really appreciate the written recap at the end of the games !

[@C137IDR]

Love your videos! Greeting from Germany :)

[@leszekebertowski]

Great video Alex. I love your C-K . The short list of rules is a great idea. Please do it more often. Kind regards ;)

[@silversurfer4195]

Excellent overview. Alex has presented similar games many times, and still the recommendations are fresh! After Rxe3, it looked like c4-c5 might spoil the combination, but Qd7 would still win, with Alex's "works-all-the-time" attack to h3/g4

[@vladimirsenmache2340]

12:44 you can take the pawn with the knight, and after queen D4, rook c4

[@gregwh2000]

Thanks!

[@banzaiburger9589]

Would love to see an analysis of Rapports recent win over Magnus using the Caro -Kann!

[@0Sammystanley0]

Yasss this would be awesome ! I’ve just found this channel and this guy takes his time to explain his thoughts and ways of attacking without holding back. So glad I found this. Hope the rest of his videos are the same !

[@man_uel6887]

A similar video for the slav rating climb would be really great. I have just started to watch that against anything else than e4.

[@husseindacosta146]

i loved chess because of alex and i was 200 elo now i'm 900 elo hopping for 1500 my openings are caro kann and jobava london thanks alex

[@tyerickson5540]

I enjoy your videos and I find your voice to be soothing.

[@GregScott-j1o]

Brilliant Alex, love that video. I would love to see a video when they play the fantasy properly against you.

[@prst4190]

Super Alex! Wonderful video clarifying many ideas. I’m now over 1400 1 month after starting below 900.😊

[@altonbrek]

Very good instructions!😊

[@breaknrun8ball]

Thanks for the excellent summary and breakdown!

[@antonytherealgoat]

0:40 W BBC reference 🗿👍🤝

[@marc-andrebriand-osborne6884]

I was so musch hoping for new Caro Kann content!! ooo yeah!

[@alexandercoronado1594]

Thanks for the video!

[@Sandfox07]

Personally I struggle the most against the Panov, the Two Knights and the advanced variation with c5 dxc5 e6 a3. If you could do a video on these opening variations in the far future, it could help others too Im sure

[@ivansaracino22]

Thank you Alex, you are a great instructor. Keep going and by the way I have bought the wonderful course on chessable to help your work and my chess knowledge. Keep going, you are one of the best here ;)

[@sebastianfors6429]

Hi Alex , amazing vid as always! Can you post somewhere all the notes that you show on 47:58? Would've been lovely to see it

[@Stijn_]

Amazing explanation

[@samreeves4183]

I’d pay anything for a Jobava course from you, I see it’s on the waiting list but how long do you think it’ll be till it’s complete ?

[@ComedyDanks]

you are awesome Alex, new sub here absolutely love it helping me learn the Caro & you're hilarious

[@Ruvine_]

I just found your chanell. That was a really good explanation and you have a nice voice to listen, gonna see some more:)

[@nishantsaini579]

Thanks Alex I recently reached 1200 by only playing jobava london and caro kan❤️

[@mfShroom-z9x]

Really good instructional video. You earned my sub.

[@MrGermanpiano]

Hey Alex, love the content. One two questions because I face the exchange caro-kann very frequently: 1. What do you do if your opponent plays some c3-a3 pawn structure which makes the minority attack harder? Just continue with the minority attack anyway with some a5-b4? Also, are there other ideas besides the minority attack? I am somewhat uncomfortable in this kind of positions because especially with the c3 setup by white it feels like they have easy access to the kingside while the queenside minority attack looks somewhat less intimidating.

[@mihailpanayotov4982]

For some reason I felt some arrogance from you in the begging and didn’t liked you… However, now I absolutely love you! Intelligent, funny, and a good teacher! ❤