Learn the Caro-Kann in 15 Minutes [Chess Openings Crash Course]

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🔹 Caro-Kann Counter Gambit for White - • Aggressive Chess Openi...
♛ Find the variations shown in the video in this blog-post - chess-teacher.com/caro-kann-d...
In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov provides you with a complete chess opening crash course on the Caro-Kann Defense, which occurs after the opening moves 1.e4 c6. Whether you play 1.e4 as White or play the Caro-Kann Defense as Black, you should watch this video.
GM Igor Smirnov's goal is to give you a complete overview of this opening, move by move, so that you understand it completely instead of memorizing several different variations.
You will learn how to play against the common responses of White including the Exchange Variation, the Advance Variation, and the mainline where White opts for 3.Nc3. You will learn the common ideas, middlegame plans, and most importantly, some IgorNation special tricks!
▬▬▬▬▬▬
► Chapters
00:00 Learn the Caro-Kann Defense Chess Opening
00:34 Mikhail Tal trolled Bobby Fischer
02:47 3 main variations of the Caro-Kann Defense
03:16 1) Exchange Variation: 3.exd5
05:13 2) Advance Variation: 3.e5
05:55 2.1) 3...Bf5, Mainline
06:40 2.2) 3...c5, Botvinnik-Carls Defense
08:50 3) Mainline: 3.Nc3
09:50 Do NOT fall into this TRAP!
10:25 4...Nf6, Korchnoi or Tartakower Variation
12:00 Common Middlegame Plans for Black
14:00 Example Middlegame
15:01 Tactical Quiz: Marcus Kann's game
15:19 Caro-Kann Defense for White
15:35 4.f3, Rasa-Studier Gambit
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#IgorNation #CaroKann #ChessOpenings #CaroKannDefense #ChessOpening

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@davidbatchelder85]

I just ordered your course, elo 2000. After just a few reviews in the lessons. I am thinking different. Which is very refreshing. I did not win the first two games, time problem but I was confident to learn and looking at the game through new eyes. I just want to thank you. May Jesus bless you and your family for your gift. Amen

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to hear, David. Good luck with your chess progress.

[@jlcain100]

How are you still liking the course? And how much have you improved?

[@Kasinath.B-jv6rf]

I think of the move Rc1. If R×c1, Qxd4+ winning queen If Qxb6, Rxd1+ and then take the queen Btw your videos are amazing. Keep it up. I wish to see more about this opening

[@mschoenen]

that's exactly what I was thinking as well!

[@Kasinath.B-jv6rf]

His contents are simple, short and so easy to understand. Right?

[@justanoob5157]

Totally agree :D

[@tristankazgmail1311]

A video this well built and explained, while around 20 min. A fantastic constant information stream. This is why I watch, thank you for making this crash course exist I really can not find other videos as excellent as these

[@SasakiKimura]

This is by far the best Caro Kann defense tutorial around. Thanks a lot mate ✌️

[@felixmerz6229]

Started playing the Caro-Kann a couple of months ago, all of the discussed positions appear very, very frequently and it's super easy to play. Even in the advanced variation, knowing just a handful of developing maneuvers makes it really simple, and it's the opening that made me prefer black over white. White's frustration and difficulty to find ideas often leads to crazy positions and an advantage in the mid game, it's really fun.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Learn the Caro-Kann Defense Chess Opening 00:34 Mikhail Tal trolled Bobby Fischer 02:47 3 main variations of the Caro-Kann Defense 03:16 1) Exchange Variation: 3.exd5 05:13 2) Advance Variation: 3.e5 05:55 2.1) 3...Bf5, Mainline 06:40 2.2) 3...c5, Botvinnik-Carls Defense 08:50 3) Mainline: 3.Nc3 09:50 Do NOT fall into this TRAP! 10:25 4...Nf6, Korchnoi or Tartakower Variation 12:00 Common Middlegame Plans for Black 14:00 Example Middlegame 15:01 Tactical Quiz: Marcus Kann's game 15:19 Caro-Kann Defense for White 15:35 4.f3, Rasa-Studier Gambit

[@robertpease9834]

RC1!, both the queen and rook are pinned to the king. If they trade queens you RxR then PXQ, if RXR then QxQ, if the knight moves, it is a free knight.

[@AZRockiesFan]

It's even better than a free knight. If the knight moves I think you pick up the free queen with a check and then win more material right after

[@prakasavigraha6104]

Cool vid. Much appreciated Igor.

[@mathousbs]

I was waiting for this video for so long!!! I like this these openings videos like the one that you did on the french defense 🇫🇷. Can you do one on the sicilian defense next?

[@gratuitoustv4815]

Finally!!!! I really appreciate this, and now I patiently wait for in depth Stone Wall video

[@rpralica]

Igor You are simple the best teacher , thank You.

[@robbeschueremans5461]

Very nice explaining! Thankyou for the video

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🙏

[@t-rex3347]

Спасибо огромное, это то чего я ждал

[@nwood1311]

Igor, would love a video as White from the opening moves 1. e5 c6 2. Nf3 d4 3. exd4 cxd4 4. Ne5 (Apocalypses Variation of the Caro-Kann?)I've been playing this against the Caro, and it's super fun to play and not well-known.

[@predragknezevic6391]

Ha ha, first game after I watched this video I was white and sure enough my opponent plays Caro-Kann defense and exactly the line explained (gambit). I crushed him few moves after... Fun stuff, cheers...😊

[@guillermopinus]

Excelent content Igor!! as usual, very clear concepts, in this case to manage a very solid opening. I liked it, i will prove it, wish me luck

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to hear!

[@devi1980able]

Igor, Please do similar video for French defence. Thank you.

[@Catspostytshorts]

Great video can you make more of these opening crash courses like one for the Scandinavian defence

[@AZRockiesFan]

at 16:42 an alternative move (with a similar engine valuation) you can play 7. Ne5 ! threatening mate with the bishop to f7 and "sacs the queen" in the process which is always fun. Black's only move to not be even worse is to play 7. ... Be6 where you then trade bishops, double their e & f pawns, and just overall have a comfortable position from a human's point of view

[@Najeem118]

Thank you so much Igor ❤

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

❤

[@qwksilver5150]

Igor I like your attack vs the Caro as I've used the fantasy variation for years and they are similar. Your thoughts on the Fantasy Variation. Thanks as always!

[@damianoaddesse9837]

Rc1 is the winning move, so if queen takes you go Rxd1+ and after any king move you take the queen, and if Rxe1 you simply capture the queen

[@ericglover7614]

Rc1 looks pretty good for the puzzle

[@MrJoelCollins]

Second!

[@idrisryan503]

that's what I got

[@cedricgist7614]

You won me over! I have an adopted coach - but your videos keep popping up in my queue at opportune times and I just have to stop and watch. This may be the 5th or 6th video of yours I've seen. I like your presentation, your energy, your matter-of-fact yet inviting style. I want to recoil at yet another example of Russian dominance - but the Cold War is over and your personality shines. I wasn't intending to explore the Caro-Kann right now - but the promise of a brief introduction - less than 20 minutes - drew me in. I am mindful of our short attention spans in this age - and although I am a senior, I'm not readily inclined to invest 30 minutes or more on a topic that doesn't interest me, or from a content provider I'm unfamiliar with. You've broken both barriers, GM Smirnov - and I have subscribed. Thank you for sharing your passion for the Game!

[@chrataco9032]

I really like your vidieos it helped me a lot thanks🎉

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🎉

[@-Madhuri-ss5zg]

Rcl pinning the d1 rook variation is Rc1 ,qb6 rxd1 after axb6.

[@bloodmoney88]

Thank you.

[@giloGilopiew]

Good appreciation

[@ml17wangi6]

Hey Igor can you please make a video on how to memorize the board the squares and each colors this might help us to calculate better.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[@bubbahottep8644]

That is a gentlemanly answer.

[@nc1609]

15:18 Rc1 pins their rook forcing the Queen trade and you have Rxd1+ Zwischenzug before taking back the Queen.

[@retrospect]

Igor Nation back at it

[@adnanghaleb2196]

Thanks

[@user-hv5dq8xe6v]

What should I play if 1. e4 c6 is followed by 2. c4? The answer to that question would also be interesting in the French defense (1. e4 e6 2. c4)?

[@fivescoop]

Awesome

[@BsBellamy]

Tc1. If white goes QxQb6 then Txd1+, then I take the Queen by axQb6, so I win a tower and pin the knight. If white goes Txc1 then I grab the queen and fork the king and the tower.

[@terencetembo8382]

You are actually best at lecturing ❤ I will be coming to watch this video every time someone likes my comment

[@rpralica]

On 15:43 I think best black answer is e3 and no to take pawn.

[@juanordinola6576]

I have just tried this line in blitz games and I achieved good results...it was very funny...thanks Igor

[@mikekeenan8450]

The winning move in the Kann game would appear to be 1. ... Rc1. If 2. Qxb6 then Black has 2. ... Rxd1 ch to throw in before 3. ... axb6, and of course if 2. Rxc1 then 2. ... Qxd4 ch winning the whole board. Your recommendation for White _against_ the Caro-Kann reminds me of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. Related to that, what do you think of the Fantasy Variation (3. f3)?

[@front331]

The Blackmar-Diemer is far more dangerous than this especially in blitz. I play the Scandi a lot and run into BD sometimes and get brutally checkmated sometimes. Thing is if black doesn't get into the Ryder Gambit after 5.Qxf3 and plays 5..e6, there's a greek gift checkmate with normal play and development, and with 5..Qxd5 Ryder, there's the Halosar trap and other back rank checkmate patterns. It's really good for blitz.

[@TheDjed19]

Can you please cover the Hippo?

[@merlin_24]

Can you explain why black plays 4....e6 blocking the bishop after 4.cxd5 ? Isn't the whole point to get the bishop out first? Otherwise, you have the French Bishop problem.

[@thechessfish]

This is great if your opponent knows literally zero theory, hope you make a follow up video actually covering the main lines, or sidelines like the two knights attack or the fantasy

[@guillermopinus]

or... you can think for your selves a continuation and not be asking for more theory

[@adamh4510]

7:33 I think playing Bg4 here is a bit of a mistake because it gives white the chance to play dxc5 and have a better position. Trading pawns first and then playing Bg4 is more accurate.

[@tobias4411]

I analyzed this line, you are right but if you check with database only 2% of all games was dxc5 after Bg4. You will probably never face dxc5 after Bg4, so don't worry. Biggest problem for white was the move c3, there he lost time instantly. If white was playing correct he would play dxc5 already in move 4, not c3....

[@techeteri]

Watched twice, wish I could like it twice. The knight mate is very cool.. Kann's winning move should be castling.

[@techeteri]

No castling, Rc1, as others have mentioned!

[@user-ek8gs4ij4r]

As White against the Caro-Kann, do you prefer this opening, or the Tennison Gambit?

[@strongestunited]

I played Igor's f3 line for white and my opponent resigned immediately after the bishop check on f7 trick 😂

[@mookz34]

What video?

[@wonderwind2716]

I think the puzzle's solution is 1. ...Rc1!, if 2. R*c8 then black queen takes queen. if white queen takes queen then 2. ... R*d1+ which is a nice in between move, and then a*b6 take back. white has nothing else to do

[@ericglover7614]

How do you feel about c4 for white instead of d4 on the 2nd move (Accelerated Panov)?

[@myfavsandlikes7478]

Based off my definitely not gm advice, I'd just say any opening with "accelerated" in it's name is guna have it's drawbacks that can be exploited easier by higher strength players. Ofc there might be some great lines that can generate quick knockouts, but yeah that's my review

[@valvennis]

Anti caro khan, same reply as black..

[@mehaarin.a7509]

the ans 1... Rc1! 2.Rxc1 Qxd4 1...Rc1! 2.Qxb6 Rxd1+ 3.Kf2 Axb6

[@user-be3pn2ju3v]

SIR CAN YOU DO SICILIAN NAJROF ONE

[@ntamatungirowilfried6246]

How about the Panov Attack?

[@Artifactsofmars]

One thing I have found is that putting that Queen Bishop on F-5 and then playing e-6 cuts it off from being able to support my queen knight on c6, which then promptly gets pinned. What can I do about that? I have been using my queen bishop to prevent the pin.

[@user-wf3oc6wy2b]

@Artifactsofmars I just leave the Knight on c6 pinned. If they take, you can just take back with the b pawn and it will strengthen your center more (you aren't going to castle queen side in this anyway). Ultimately, it's most important to get your e pawn out so that you can attack c5 with your King side bishop. You also want to get e6 to protect d5 so that your Queen has freedom to move and isn't stuck defending d5 from a Queen attack.

[@Artifactsofmars]

@@user-wf3oc6wy2b OK thanks maybe I will try it.

[@NickZ-zu8jf]

At 16:40 I would just go knight e5. If he takes my queen guess what bf7 is mate!

[@elijahdaves1305]

Most amateurs do not try to build the pawn chain after c5. Literally 90% or more of my games in the sub-1000 elo take

[@valvennis]

Igor I always play advance variation as white in the caro khan defense and I always win, I lose only a few times..

[@user-eu3tt5mo8b]

rc1 nc3 qd4+ 2.rc1 qb6 rd1+

[@agpaok0704]

I have never pushed a pawn one square in the opening, and I will never do that. I still liked your video. Thanks for the work you offer to us :).

[@antonioa.jepkoko4588]

Wait... You actually did it.. i-i cant believe it

[@is9191.]

15:11 rook to c1 I guess

[@eraser1572]

What if they take the e5 pawn?

[@MikeL-7]

What about 1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 this infuriates me as Black, are there any traps to counter it?

[@valvennis]

Same reply, d5 then Bg4..

[@valvennis]

If pawn takes d5 then pawn takes d5 also thanks for helping the black..

[@bubbahottep8644]

Is it Rc1 ?

[@rudradevsingh228]

I thought you said not to play the caro kann since there is no attacking options for black

[@taco1005]

Rook E1 for the puzzle

[@markcahill1146]

What if White. does not play queen’s pawn as their second move

[@eemihelisten3137]

I hated facing caro kann before, then saw a video about landau gambit, started playing 3. Bd3 and trapped a few people and otherwise simple equal games

[@AshokKumar-oz4kq]

try the fantasy. i play caro kann. i hate the fantasy man, super scary for black. very sharp XD

[@sekharkrishnamurthy3927]

Rc1!

[@Milluahzz]

Great video, Igor ⭐ Let me try to solve the video puzzle. I suggest to move rook to c1 to attack two pieces at once. Oponent is forced to capture queen and then the rook captures at d1 with check. After that I recapture the queen at b6 and I am winning the rook. Hope this was to correct solution 🙂

[@cameronmiller6240]

I believe it is. KANN!!!

[@scionescire]

Rc1

[@abdelrahmansalama3850]

Rc1, wins a rock

[@thereaperlore]

What if the game goes 1.e4 c6 2.c4 ?

[@Tocinos]

You'd have to make a 24 hour video in order to cover the infinite amount of responses against the Caro Kannt.

[@nsg_erre8300]

No you wouldn't because there's only a certain amount of good moves in response

[@Tocinos]

@@nsg_erre8300 no there isn't 😂 let's play then. 1. e4 c6 2. d4 your move I'm already contemplating which of 50 variations I wanna play since I have both pawns in the center by move 2 💀

[@ahmadizzudinahmadrostam3608]

d5

[@themoneymaker03]

No one wants to watch a 24 hour video. He is covering the "main" lines. Why make a 24 hour video covering lines that no one's plays?

[@Tocinos]

@@themoneymaker03 are you joking? 😂

[@Mrtiger-pm4vw]

I have a chess turnament and i am watching it 15 minutes before

[@LHPC...]

6:46

[@johnsonoyesina627]

Rc1 is the move

[@park5494]

Noice.

[@moykanal1597]

black to play and win - C1

[@schleifermax]

Tc1

[@andreagatta3140]

Quiz: Rc1?

[@sekharkrishnamurthy3927]

White loses the Q, R or K.

[@kevinwellwrought2024]

Give them a pill to memorise all the lines in caro-kann but if they want to make hasty moves and not analyse properly they will always stay a beginner.

[@theendoffifa]

First here

[@josephsalmonte4995]

I would play the Caro but the advanced variation sucks. It's a horrible position to play lol

[@flOGLife]

Im 400 and everyone I play they play advanced and if I push c pawn then they take every single time. Idk about that being advanced lol

[@lambaman]

The pawn advances, it’s not the move that is advanced

[@diewand5442]

Me who doesn't play 2.d4 as white because I watched Eric Rosen and know how to destroy the Caro-Kann

[@friedsushii_]

what do you play instead?

[@AZRockiesFan]

@@friedsushii_ The video he is referring to is likely the two knights attack. There's a bunch of fun traps and it isn't as popular as some other lines for white, potentially giving you an experience edge for the position

[@friedsushii_]

@@AZRockiesFan thanks

[@chamithbandara3483]

Re8 RXe8 QXQ Kc7 QXh8.

[@nilanjanakarmakar4228]

For some reason i lose every game with and against the caro kann

[@omriyossef7030]

This isn't the main line for caro kan opening

[@troelalul]

talks too much in bad English

[@atom8926]

Rc1

[@giannisfasoulas1163]

Rc1