Is Caro-Kann still worth your time?

[@AlexBanzea]

Course just got published: www.chessable.com/the-caro-kann-simplified/course/171080/

[@Heroball299]

Congrats Alex

[@jspmartin]

I've learned so much from your videos. I just picked up the CK course on Chessable - I can't wait to get stuck into it! And with that being said... let's move on to the following game!

[@planezero]

Instabuy!

[@alexvanolst]

I've been waiting to pick this up. Thanks for starting it off with a sale.

[@davidel6469]

Running to get it...waiting for more against d4...tnx alex!

[@mrl9162]

Using the inset screen for the alternative lines while leaving the "live" board visible is a masterstroke of editing. All chess instruction videos should do this. Bravo.

[@mharris1527]

Any content on facing d4 and other non e4 openings? Love your play style btw!

[@stanislavhadzhiev187]

Alex, soccer... really? :D

[@Schlynn]

Yooooo, 20$ for the full in-depth coaching for the carro? I'm in.

[@Gabe-zm9vh]

I got a 2 dolla book on the Caro lol

[@0KashMash0]

​@@Gabe-zm9vh where can I buy it?

[@DukeTran]

Does it show as 34.99 for anyone else for the course?

[@john4459]

I can’t see the Caro course - just the London….

[@choole1084]

How is that possible??

[@unstableatbest]

Alex Banzea puts the "care" in Caro-Kann. All the best, sir.

[@lacecart9734]

can you make a playlist of middlegame ideas for almost every opening?

[@iel-]

FOCUS. CALCULATE. Slowly improve your position if you can't find a way to attack, but be ready to find one on every move made by your opponent. When you strike. Calculate till there is no more *FORCING MOVES*. If the position isn't favourable, !!give up on the attack!! or wait till it works.

[@pqrkymc]

Alex, I know you have always recommended the Tartakower variation but could you maybe make a video on the Karpov variation? I think it's a great solid variation as long as you don't fall into the cheap traps such as Ng5 and Qe2

[@DDfactzz]

Hi Alex I just want to say I'm usually an aggressive player since the only opening I know was King's Gambit but now learning Caro kan has taken into a whole new dimension and helped me improve as a chess player in general , Since your marathon covers so many lines in different rating and explaining what you do in every move and learning new tactics etc. I've managed to beat a 1650 opponent with Caro today I'm looking forward to hit 2000 in next few years hopefully. I am also looking forward to buy the Caro Kan Course ❤

[@ahmadalyassin7405]

Was rated 1150, and i beat a 1818.. That was in 1 month.. It won't take you years to beat a 2000

[@DDfactzz]

@@ahmadalyassin7405 haha my goal is to hit 2000 I'm like around 1500 atm ice already managed to tie against a 2000 often times when we win against a higher rated opponent it's because they're either not playing very good underestimating us or they are very tilted. But beating an 1800 as a 1100 is a very good achievement grats on that mate !👏

[@michielsmissaert]

@@ahmadalyassin7405 beating a 2000 player and being a 2000 player are very different things!! 2000 players play very bad at times, I can tell because I one of them (online)!

[@DDfactzz]

@@michielsmissaert haha exactly man

[@nikhilmehan2766]

@@ahmadalyassin7405it reach 2000 it will. Idc how long it takes you to beat a high rated player, unless there titled(even then it’s not a big deal)

[@stefantijink3102]

I have the Gotham Caro Kann course, but after having bought your London course I am definitely gonna buy your Caro course too. Seeing the idea behind different branches of the opening is 100x more useful than knowing some rare computer lines.

[@nikhilmehan2766]

What is your elo?

[@stefantijink3102]

@@nikhilmehan2766 1400 rapid on the chess site. For some reason my comment keeps getting removed if I add the com behind.

[@sanjayl3362]

@@stefantijink3102 youtube dosent want u to leave the site and take traffic out of it :)

[@hata6290]

@@stefantijink3102how’s your elo now?

[@stefantijink3102]

@@hata6290 still the same, haven’t played that many games (think about 20 max). But I have certainly won some of them purely due to the opening prep

[@milehighslacker4196]

16:20 I too have lost some games after starting out with Alex's Caro-Kann teaching/play. I don't let it bother me, because I eventually learn from my mistakes and learn the positional reasoning for Alex's move choices. Then I start winning more than losing with the particular opening I am studying (in this case, Caro-Kann). Thanks for the great videos, Alex, I truly appreciate them.

[@DJHypnovibe]

same here, I've lost 80% of my caro-kann games but am getting better the more I practice.

[@giovannnygaxiola2383]

I feel like it just depends on the person tbh . I didn’t have an opening for black so I try out the Caro & learned all the theory from Alex in another KZbin video that he has ,that’s about 20 min . I been winning all my black games , honestly I like better than my white opening now the “ London “. I personally recommend watching the 20 min video that Alex has study the theory watch the video multiple times until u remember everything & trust me from now on u will enjoy playing the Caro

[@giovannnygaxiola2383]

I watch this videos now just to give me attacking ideas & to help my overall Caro Kann experience

[@JerkyJones100]

I'm still watching this video as I type this but just got to say how masterfully that first game was played.👍💯

[@jayeshagrawal4879]

I want a chess tournament between you, eric rosen and levy rozman (gothamchess)

[@GeorgeSmyth]

Alex - Glad to see that your course is now live. I beta tested it and can highly recommend it to anyone reading this comment.

[@stinkusthemouse]

Broke: 'I lose 12 games with caro kann, its bad 😢' Woke: 'skill issue 😅'

[@migorenga7630]

It's not even a big banana! Definitely instructive.

[@ramenjuul]

I don’t have a diamond membership so my knight can’t move backwards 😞

[@ianw1285]

So happy your course is out. I was about to start playing the French instead....

[@merilum]

Hi Alex, I love your videos. It would be nice to see your recommendations against non-e5 defenses, like the Scandi, French and Sicilian!

[@roozavelt]

real

[@RandomPerson-ip5xk]

man this course is legendary i am gonna rate it 5 and also gonna buy the videos too

[@DJHypnovibe]

I just had a game that started e4 c6 and white responded with c4, which is called the accelerated panov attack and it shows as a 51% winning against the caro-kann. Do you cover response to c4 in any of your videos?

[@AlexBanzea]

Yes (not sure exactly where), but it’s not really problematic

[@thahumancube]

Alex, i'll say it simply. THANK YOU :)

[@TheBackyardProfessor]

Always make your comments! You are a fabulous teacher and I LOVE the humor

[@LostZoneYX]

Wake up honey banzea posted another caro-kann banger

[@andrewwong6500]

Hope I win my chess tournament in 3 days!

[@mohiddin_pasha]

Good evening sir 🎉

[@rmnley]

I just started playing chess, but have climbed from 600-900 in 3 days while watching your videos. I know this climb has to slow down but 10/10. highly considering buying a course soon!

[@AlexBanzea]

Glad to help man! Most of the stuff is already free on KZbin, but if you wanna practise memorization, the course can be a nice supplement

[@ItIsYouAreNotYour]

I lost 12 games with the Caro-Kann and Mr. Kann didn't even have the respect to refund me!!! Wouldn't ever C6 again. More like... Lets 'C' 6 game losing streaks (x2). Love hearing that complaint. Haha

[@divergentlife493]

I have responded similarly in the first game. But I don't start with light bishop attacking horse. I put it in front of king, then queen behind it for batter. Then maybe attack horse. Because anytime he plays that edge pond I eat it with bishop which is a sacrifice. And I get similar checkmate because my dark bishop is a threat and the castle is also moving upwards.

[@JerrySuneagle]

I am guilty of thinking Myth No5 from time to time. Crazy lines generally come from lower rated players, and in trying to pounce on their mistakes, I sometimes blunder when I should play principled Caro-Khan.

[@Blinkers2007GameDev]

Sicilian defense is the better opening as you have a higher chance of winning. Simple. But Caro can be a useful tool to have

[@AlexBanzea]

Sicilian requires insane amount of theory no matter what level you play in, sadly.

[@Blinkers2007GameDev]

@@AlexBanzea I am a 1300. I play sicilian most of the time. As a sicilian player, I always get an advantage in all of my games because people don't know what to play. When they play the main lines I know exactly what to do and it always leads to imbalances, which make the games less drawish. I wanna add that I only studied main line for around half an hour and remember and understand all of the moves.

[@alexandergover9268]

These videos took me from 300 to 100 in a couple of months. Whoever says the Caro isn’t a good opening is just doing it wrong, straight up. Now I’m at 1000 I’m smashing puzzles to try and improve. But I have noticed it gets a lot tougher for me at this level, but this is because I miss things. Not the Caro lol

[@LeHaxerino]

What I understood from this is if I’m to throw a banana, it better be big. Thanks Alex!

[@eliassapper9940]

Dude for real i love ur videos, so entertaining, keep up the hustle

[@sltjk2472]

Hey man i dont know if you read these, but here i go. Ive been playing chess on and off for over a decade now. About a month ago i decided to start playing again and taking the game a bit more serious. With the help of your videos and naroditskis videos i went from 1100 to now am about to break 2000. Caro is my main against kings pawn. Is there any chamce you can get deep with ryu lopez and the nimzo indian games please ? Thanks man, youve been great.

[@fili24]

Man, the way he just creates these makes me want to switch from my aggressive Sicilians to the quieter caro, but at the end of the day, when you know how to handle mad dash crazy positions where both sides are shoving pawns up the board as fast as possible, you gotta go for that instead of playing for a slight edge because of superior structure and central majority

[@ebromi]

Are you playing g to improve or just for fun? If you are still improving with your sicilians, or if you are enjoying the craziness, more power to you. If you want to master the game, then learning how to convert an edge to a win will help. Also, have you seen Alex' games? There are a lot of tactical wins in the middle game. I converted from the Najdrorf to the Caro and it has been great for my chess and lots of fun too.

[@fili24]

@@ebromi i mean if my opponent is an unambitious boring person and won't castle long, I'm still fine playing with the majority and going for the q-side play.

[@ebromi]

​@fili24 I understand, and the sicilia is as good as, or maybe better than the Caro. If you are at a plateau, or want to understand a wider range of pawn structures, the Caro is a great alternative.

[@nchess1044]

I've been playing the Scandanavian. The Caro Kann is even worse than the Sicilian. Terrible opening for Blitz and anybody below 2000 rating.

[@acrobatman]

"4 vs. 3 Don't attack your opponent where he is strong. Even you can figure that out." But in all the other variations...minority attack 😂

[@f.d.3289]

3:50 "You're trying to shoot them with a banana. And it's not even a big banana." xD (got monty python bonus points -- banana self-defense sketch, anyone?)

[@Lyscian420]

I really like your videos and teaching style. I love the so called “boring” way of playing chess where you win a pawn and trade into the winning endgame. It makes me feel like I outplayed my opponent. Hahahaha

[@mkmasterthreesixfive]

I think now, the biggest strength to this channel is the small quips for what moves are. I will forever only refer to nf8 now as seatbelt knight, and that is how I'll remember this move is what to do. As opposed to the easily forgettable knight to blah blah.

[@waltdog123]

just discovered the Jobava works for black when queen's pawn is played. otherwise it's Karo for me!

[@MegaBakamono]

I would like to buy your course but I cannot find it at Chessable and the link does not function properly for me. All it provides for me is your London opening course.

[@martaylor8808]

What happen to" bozo" 😢😢😢 you don't punish them.. really find your channel helpful..

[@mememe733]

Every time you say “in case he plays this beginner mistake” I’m “yep, that’s what I play” 😂 Well, I am a beginner so it’s ok. I’m here to learn 😊

[@Patmos-John]

Alex is the funniest guy on chess KZbin and it’s not even close. Sorry Gotham 😢

[@choole1084]

What do you mean by we get hundreds of hours of video if the 21.99€ course is without video? Thanks in advance

[@chessic4]

The endgame is a slow, painful death? I shouldn't trade pieces? I'm getting a little worried about this opening.

[@neeru7298]

Hey Alex, I'm intrested in getting coached by you but I don't know how to contact you privately

[@christianherzig1575]

This video is hilarius, or should I say bananas? What's my rating? I still throw bananas.

[@pillager6586]

This is the content I'm here for. Big fan Alex appreciate your work!

[@SimenStaabyKnudsen]

Hurray! Really looking forward to the course :)

[@handyman4everyman]

I love it. 'Shoot them with a banana... and it's not even a big banana' that's gold.

[@FloydMaxwell]

Your English is just fine. Great even. Loved the chain of pre-moves in the 3rd game.

[@railspony]

5 second rule?! Filthy. In my country we use the 2 second rule! 🤣

[@simonpenelle2574]

Bro I played the Caro as you said and lost 143 games in a row. Can you explain this ?

[@mohammad1906]

Why all the High rated players make blunders/mistakes only against you in every game

[@javiersaturno9689]

Don't mind the comments, I'd say. This is a great channel and the teaching is gold, thanks

[@robandsharonseddon-smith5216]

Love your content. Please do some videos playing against caro as white if you can.

[@hellopleychess3190]

are any of these videos helpful if I play classical chess around master level??

[@sonnycerbo1182]

Thanks for this video. I'm a Caro Kann lover. ❤❤❤

[@ormarnarson4925]

LOL min. 3:50 "it's like trying to shoot them with a banana" :D

[@derrekspilsbury4292]

Why is Alex Banzea such a cutie McHottieBody?

[@jusnew]

Please do open Sicilian 😭😭

[@cheacc-dn5sq]

Open SIcilian = Win for black. 2 central pawns, thousands of cocky sidelines, Im taking that all day as black.

[@antoinelaquerre4249]

I love your content :D have a nice day you got yourself a new follower

[@FrancescoPizzo_Production]

Ehi! I love your videos, don’t forget about us higher rated as well! I’d love more content on the jobava but for 1500-1600 elo

[@hakki686]

Can't find the course using the link :). London i do have. Karo i do need :). What i like is that i see here your London/Karo games. Like that and always waiting for new vids ! So much fun to watch and listen/learn. Thank for all your work buddy.

[@AlexBanzea]

Thanks mate! Will be up in like 12 hours I think

[@handyman4everyman]

Alex thank you for your excellent and funny teaching, I was stuck on at rapid elo 1400 for about a year and basically gave up on ever getting better. Then I heard you saying how rubbish blitz players below 1500 are and I suddenly thought - yeah! Rapid players at 1500 must really suck then! And with that confidence I managed to finally get through 1500 and then 1600 within 2 months. And yes the caro kann helped too!

[@Nathan_siegrist]

So hyped to get your Caro Kann course!

[@wikiwing348]

White did watch your ambush e4 chessable course lol

[@ChessJourneyman]

The best chess content creator for anyone looking to hit 2k.

[@snortingnesquik3470]

You made the exchange not boring :D

[@Griot19]

I believe that the annotation for move 10 in “White avoids the Tartakower with 5.Ng3” should read Nxe3 instead of Nxe2

[@AlexBanzea]

comment on chessable so I can see

[@nb-eq6rw]

The tartakower pawns are so strong that they will practically never be taken. If I don't win immediately I will win by attrition. However I would still rather play the Sicilian

[@AlexBanzea]

Gotta try the Caro!

[@spacejunkisforever6311]

I really appreciate your analogies and humor. Who knew watching chess videos would be fun?! I’ve learned a lot from you using the London and Caro and I’m up to 1200 rapid- up from 800 just a few months ago.

[@deanduplessis433]

This is your best Caro-Kann video so far.

[@chanimal66]

I stopped using caro kann and I love it.

[@FPL_Habesha]

At 4:53 why didn't we take the night and CM in 2 moves? What I'm I missing? I'm just a beginner

[@Go-rv3rb]

You see after rook takes knight he has bishop takes and there is no checkmate. Hope you see it now

[@bakrob99]

I'm in for sure... Made a note for the 19th

[@snortingnesquik3470]

Only $20???? I'm shaking

[@corbinamman1687]

Thank you for teaching me this opening and especially your style of sitting back passively. A 14 move win against a 1700 player on my first try 😮 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. c4 Bd6 7. Be2 O-O 8. Nf3 Re8 9. O-O Nd7 10. Qd3 Nf8 11. b3 g6 12. Bb2 Bf5 13. Qc3 Rxe2 14. d5 Be5 0-1

[@ralphgreenwood2469]

That rent free apartment on g3 is rather cozy.

[@MarkWendland]

I still hear people call the CK solid. If anything, it is very diverse today due to the creative attempts White has come up with over the years.

[@AlexBanzea]

Just rock solid!

[@stefankozovski]

Started two months ago in the 600 range. Learned some basics, then went Ponziani/Scandinavian. Then found this beautiful Romanian neighbor and transitioned to Jobava/Caro. Currently on 1090 rapid but with 62% win rate as white (210 games). Still have some catching to do with blacks mainly because they often open with d4. So I've chosen Kings Indian against d4, again because of Alex. Keep on going man - you are the best teacher out there.

[@john-ze7eu]

When is your Caro Chessable course coming out?? And thanks for explaining your thought process... It is quite helpful!! Never mind.. It showed that time. Picked it up! Thank u Alex

[@titusgroen]

Is there any way to make this playlist play in the order it was published? It looks like it's been uploaded in reverse.

[@AlexBanzea]

better?

[@jongler9775]

This video is pure madness. I love it.

[@Schoolfunds1]

Just started playing chess again a month ago. Last time I played regularly was 20 years ago. Love your videos with example games at that Elo range. Been steadily climbing my 5 minute blitz rating from the 500’s to 900’s (low, but Im happy with that in 30 days). Would love to make it to the low to mid 1000’s in the next several months.

[@jefftaylor1186]

The fantasy is the only variation white can really effectively respond to the Caro-Kann with in my humble 1300-1800 opinion. and I still tend to crush it when I figure out when to go Qb6 and Bc5 without blundering my position.

[@lionelbowhunter468]

Hi Alex, how about the French defense? Could you make video about it please? It is a very solid opening and worth learning it. Thx for all your instructives videos! Greetings from France ^^

[@salvadorsempere1701]

Former 1400 rapid game Caro Kann player, current 1500 Caro Kann player after watching your videos.. Every time the opponent starts with e4, a happy man here.

[@ramosz6983]

Alex, great stuff as usual! Please make a tutorial how to deal with Accelerated Panov Attack by White. In my last rapid tournament I lost to this attack by plaing the Caro -Kann

[@Heroball299]

Opponent playing g5 in the first game was a ridiculous move.

[@Heroball299]

Actually he played g4 not g5. Lol!

[@RaphaelBaltuth]

Oddly, enough, there is a way for white to escape checkmate, by playing 20. Bf1. Engines make fools of us all.

[@earntheweekend3731]

Can't bleeping wait for the Alex B caro course to drop on chessable tomorrow. Hit 1000 rapid this week. Mainly down to this channel. Thanks Alex

[@0KashMash0]

This is the best instructive chess video I've ever seen. Please do one on the London and the Vienna ❤

[@gezlaschoonraad193]

Your humor kills me

[@boredsandman2233]

When are you making something against 1 d4 for Chessable? I can’t wait for the Caro course to come out. I have all of your courses so far.

[@jared-Nokturne]

I went from 800 to 1400 in two months playing only a couple games a day. Tnx to the carokhan and ur insightful teachings

[@manustvshow]

Best place to learn abt the Caro