Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Caro-Kann Defense!

[@yesyes300]

I appreciate showing multiple lines depebding on what the opponent plays. I think you did a good job in this video. I think it is good

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks brotha! Happy you liked the approach where I showed multiple lines/variations. Hippo week coming soon! (For real. Just trying to get my new gear hooked up and stuff. Technology can be tough. Only tell you this because I know you're a Hippo fan as am I.)

[@yesyes300]

@@TheChessGiant thanks, happy to hear that

[@spghose2437]

Excellent...thank you..i suffered a lot with king side defense with caru kann,...this saves me..

[@Factsnotfox]

Another great video. I avoided playing the Caro Kann for years, for many of the reasons you mentioned. Then I recently discovered the Gurgenidze System, which you covered here in the advance variation (without using that name). I also ran into a very instructive series of speedruns by Daniel Naroditsky and Alex Banzea. Now the Caro Kann is my go-to response to 1.e4. The Caro Kann has a well deserved reputation for being boring and drawish, but exciting tactical games are quite possible. /// I am really looking forward to a future video on the Urusov Gambit that you recently hinted at.

[@TheChessGiant]

Ya the Gurgenidze System is awesome! It's really got me back into the Caro-Kann as it sounds like it did to you as well. Thanks much and more soon!

[@skyeruddell3196]

Once again, thank you, I appreciate this in depth look.

[@TheChessGiant]

You got it!

[@kadencalleberg]

Would you ever consider doing a video on either the Queen’s Gambit Declined: Forgotten Variation? Or if you wanted to get really crazy, the Anderssen Opening: Hippo Attack?

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks for sending these in! Not sure I've heard of the Hippo Attack vs Anderssen Opening, I'll have to take a look!

[@monstermagnet3150]

The Hippo Attack is probably the craziest thing I've seen in a while, is it the ancestor of the Hippo setup ?

[@kadencalleberg]

@@monstermagnet3150 as far as I understand it (keep in mind I barely understand it), the hippo had been used as a defensive setup for quite a while before it was seriously considered as something white could play. Nimzowitsch first played the hippo with white in 1928, but it was not anything like the Anderssen Opening variation. So no, It’s probably a more recent invention but both wikipedia and Easy Guide to the Hippo Attack and Defence by Eric Briffoz came up with nothing.

[@OregonMikeH]

@@kadencalleberg Outstanding Comment here, point so well taken. Thanks, ... Mike.

[@monstermagnet3150]

@@kadencalleberg Fine, thanks for the info 🙂 Strange they have the same name though, but yeah except the strange pawn formation they have not a lot in common

[@dmr288]

Thanks for this video!!!

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks for watching! What's your current opening repertoire for black against e4 and d4?

[@OregonMikeH]

SOLOMON an Outstanding Video here presented in a reaffirmation manner as to be practiced in games at my Club immediately. Shared to Great Chess Friends in Spain & the UK. As Always very grateful and doing all I'm able to support. I watch your work nightly! As always Blessings your way from Oregon with positive Vibes and hopefulness for your well earned major successes, Blessings Pal, .. Mike.

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Mike. Blessings to you too my friend. Thanks much for throwing my name out there! Appreciate you!

[@frostproductions5451]

What a great recommendation against the advanced, thank you!

[@TheChessGiant]

Glad you liked the lines! You got it! (This is what I love to go with and it seems like Nakamura does too with great results)

[@mikavaljevo]

Great video! As a Caro player, I really like the Gurgenidze System against advanced. Honestly, the most problems I have against fantasy variation, so I hope for a new video with Fantasy :) Cheers, bro!!!

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey thanks brotha! And ya I might just have to make a video on the Caro-Kann vs the Fantasy!

[@ricardomorattelrandriamiha6391]

Love this new idea in the advance caro👌🏻🔥

[@TheChessGiant]

Happy to hear brotha! Hope it helps!

[@nickrosas8889]

I enjoyed the variations you showed.

[@TheChessGiant]

Glad to hear it!! Gotta love the Caro-Kann Defense!

[@banzaiburger]

Great video Solomon! Since taking up the CK, my score as black has never been better. One interesting line I like and use against the Panov is to stick my bishop on e6 and then fianchetto./castle on the kingside. That bishop on e6 may look ugly at first but it usually ends up very useful.

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks! Glad you liked it, and ya that's a very interesting idea! I'll have to look more into that. As weird as it looks I'm sure white feels the pressure on c4.

[@monstermagnet3150]

I'm with you !

[@anirbanghosh1217]

Hi Solomon. Its been a long time. Its my fav opening so thought of paying u a visit once again. Hope u r doing well.

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Anirban! Good to hear from you again my guy. Hope you've been well too. That's cool you play the Caro-Kann. Really solid and fun system.

[@raiedfadhil6248]

Thank you Solomon

[@TheChessGiant]

You got it Raied!

[@glubes]

You are the best giant

[@TheChessGiant]

Haha thank you brotha! Glad you enjoyed the vid!

[@kifahali7957]

Good job bro👍

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Kifah!

[@BaronRodney]

For the main line in the beginning I ran the best moves using stockfish and backs king is left far more vulnerable than white because of that annoying H pawn. It's easy to see why you decided to stray away from that line.

[@TheChessGiant]

Totally Rodney. It's very surprising to me that players from the black side go for it. Of course, I used to as well because I was told it was the right way to play it. Not sure if players like the position but it's one of those lines in which I don't know how someone could. To me, it just feels very cramped, and not only cramped but awkward. All that said, ya man. I recommend g6 and h5 as black instead of our bishop getting kicked around a ton.

[@BaronRodney]

@@TheChessGiant Indeed, perhaps it is preferred amongst top level players like Hikaru and magnus given their machine-like calculations.

[@alexfreeburg5180]

Yes finally!!!

[@monstermagnet3150]

Against the Classical Variation, I like to play the main line, delay castle and go for a queenside attack, but it's true that White has an easier game. I'll try your propositions, thx for the stuff Solomon ! The Gurgenidze is nice but I often get the same positions in the Advance with more flexibility due to the light-squared bishop (h5 a great idea in the Advance overall, indeed) so I'm gonna stick to what I play 😉 I agree with your ideas in the Exchange, and against the Panov it's fun to place you bishop on e6, blocking your pawn but tricky for blacks, but you have to be careful against Qb3 !

[@TheChessGiant]

For sure! Ya that's a good approach to the Main Line. And ya totally, I can tell you know what you're talking about! My videos are usually not a "You HAVE to play this" but more of a general guide with some ideas that players can try out, or simply stick to what they were playing. This video is that but on steroids cuz almost all of my recommendations aren't the main lines haha. Thanks for these great thoughts!!

[@monstermagnet3150]

@@TheChessGiant Been a while since your last opening video (I'm lying there's the bishop's one but still didn't watch 😶‍🌫), always a pleasure ! This one especially was very interesting !

[@damianmackie7612]

Could you consider doing a video covering the fantasy variation because it’s a super unique and aggressive way to play against the caro.

[@TheChessGiant]

Yes! Thanks for sending in this request Damian!

[@yeyintaung9837]

Thz for your contents

[@TheChessGiant]

You got it brotha, glad you enjoyed this one! The Caro-Kann is so solid, good on you for looking into it!

[@dariopalider467]

thanks

[@TheChessGiant]

You're welcome!

[@efthorpe]

Great video. I agree with you, putting the bishop on f5 is awful. I would rather put my knight on that square. As for my bishop I put it on g4 and exchange it for the knight on f3. I am much more comfortable playing it this way. Thanks again.

[@TheChessGiant]

Totally! Ya that bishop is just a pain to put it simply. And thanks man glad you liked it.

[@lostasp2041]

This is the best positional gameplay of an opening that every player must play right now. Asap team subscribe guys!

[@TheChessGiant]

Ayy thanks brotha! If there's ever any other chess opening videos you'd want to see, don't hesitate to throw some names in the comments!

[@gabriellouisetti5033]

Hello Solomon, thanks for your videos! I have a question about these openings, but first I m sorry to say I m descovering I'm silly... just keeping bullet, but I lost more and more day after day... I know I should stop and play rapid or better classical... just so sad I get angry and exagerately involved :( ... at least I m going back to other of your videos and trying some longer games.... sorry for the sad story

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Gabriel, good to hear from you again! Sorry to hear about this but hope you've been well overall. Ya I've been there before. When you're playing 30 + 0 and have a bad day, you lose 1 or 2 games. But with bullet you can lose 30 to 60. It's so weird how somedays I can't lose in bullet (for the most part) and then other days I can't get a single win if my life depended on it. But ya, that's good you're going for some longer games again. Even 5 + 0 is a lot of time to think in my opinion. Especially for online.

[@marine4Christ88]

Phenomenal

[@wreckerimperator5919]

Why don’t you have a king’s gambit tutorial?

[@TheChessGiant]

Just haven't got there yet honestly. It's such a broad opening I don't even know where to start. But, eventually I will get there I hope haha.

[@jaydub2971]

*mutters about the Fantasy Variation*

[@wisdom_vault_official]

Bro im not able to play against alien gambit. Plz help

[@yanis4889]

Omg i was going to ask for it lololol

[@TheChessGiant]

Ayy nice timing!

[@kowaiyan4391]

which is better caro kann or france????

[@monstermagnet3150]

Caro Kann is more solid and French more cramped but adventurous for black, I'd say they are about equal and both among the top 4 responses against e4, alongside the Sicilian and e4, while all the others (Pirc, Scandinavian, Modern, Owen, Alekhine, Nimzovitch) being theoretically inferior

[@kowaiyan4391]

@@monstermagnet3150 thz brother

[@TheChessGiant]

Both are strong in their own ways, but Monster Magnet gave an excellent explanation! (I would say the French is much more sharp)

[@TheChessGiant]

Solid take here!

[@billi9230]

Wait there wasnt a caro video yet?

[@alamgirsani5531]

It wasn't as in depth as this one.

[@TheChessGiant]

There was, but when I look back it's simply not as good. Not in depth and audio is eh. Part of being on KZbin I guess haha.

[@pokerchannel6991]

jeesh! eric rosen beats the f out of the main line. He is merciless with that 2 Kn attack relentless. The CK is all beaten up by the 2 Kn.

[@-j636]

Love u

[@TheChessGiant]

🙏🏽❤️

[@pokerchannel6991]

main line is nto good.

[@m42orion12]

Im going to be honest,i can't stand the caro kann...Just does not click with me.Anyone see it at the top level more than any off beat ones? (Hippo,alekhine,ownen's) Nah...this and the french,just can't see it with those opening's,That's just my opinion....

[@TheChessGiant]

For sure! The Caro-Kann Defense is definetely not for everyone. Interesting how some like the more solid/straightforward systems and others like the hyperdynamic/offbeat ones. I myself like both but definetely go with offbeat way more than the other option.

[@arguellozelaya]

@@TheChessGiantI have played the Caro Kann nearly 6 months now against e4. My rating is almost 1700: playing Caro Kann I have a 53% win against my opponents. I hadn’t seen the g6 variation against the advance variation I play Bf5… I’ll look further on that although I don’t like much fianchettos. Than you for the video!!

[@TheChessGiant]

That is a very solid result that you can only continue building on! And ya g6 is definetely worth a look. I love playing it personally, although I understand it's not for everyone. I believe Hikaru plays it as well.@@arguellozelaya