Caro-Kann Main Line in depth ⎸Chess Openings

♘ Follow me on lichess (write, ask, challenge): lichess.org/@/hpy
😎 Become a Patron (extra daily content): / hangingpawns
💲 Support the channel: www.paypal.me/...
The Main Line of the Caro-Kann is one of black’s strongest weapons against 1.e4. With correct play black can comfortably equalize and have great attacking prospects.
For the basics of the Caro-Kann, opening ideas, principles and main variations, watch this video: • Caro-Kann Defense (int...
For an alternative to the Main Line learn these variations:
Fantasy Variation: • Fantasy Variation of t...
Advance Variation: • Caro-Kann Defense - Ad...
Exchange Variation: • Caro-Kann Defense - Ex...
Panov-Botvinnik Attack: • Panov-Botvinnik Attack...
Karpov Variation: • Karpov Variation of th...
Korchnoi Variation: • Korchnoi Variation of ...
Bronstein-Larsen Variation: • Bronstein-Larsen Varia...
Two Knights Variation: • Two Knights Variation ...
The Main Line (or the Classical) Caro-Kann is by far the most commonly played variation after 1.e4 c6. It’s theory heavy, meaning that both sides could get in a lot of trouble if they are unfamiliar with it, but that also means that both sides have great attacking prospects and that most games will be exciting and double edged (unlike what non-Caro-Kann players think). I have covered all the opening traps after black plays Bf5, as well as all the sidelines white might venture into.
The Main Line Caro-Kann Defense occurs after the moves:
1.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 dxe4
4.Nxe4 Bf5 - Black is developing the bishop seemingly with tempo on the knight, but after:
5.Ng3 black is forced to lose a tempo himself to retreat the bishop back with:
5…Bg6
The normal continuation which you will see in the vast majority of games is:
6.h4 h6
7.Nf3 Nd7
8.h5 Bh7
9.Bd3 Bxd3
10.Qxd3
However, white can deviate on move 6. The most common sidelines to h4 are:
6.Nh3 (Flohr Variation)
6.Nf3
6.Bc4
6.N1e2

[@davidkilmartin4973]

I’ve just started playing chess again after ten years. These videos are top quality Stepan. Keep up the good work sir!

[@3madmaher]

I love the images you use as intro

[@vejito11]

You need more viewers, your content is obviously of great quality. I will share your name in the capacity that it is possible, but you should seek some sort of marketing for yourself. Many players, including myself, will benefit from this great format.

[@HangingPawns]

This means a lot mate! I didn't want to push myself across different platforms until I was happy with the quality and quantity. I will do so when I cover all the openings:) That will, I believe, be a good enough textbook for beginner-intermediate players to work with. Until then I just hope to improve:) Anyway, you saying that gave me a great confidence boost. Thanks again!

[@kiiorigin3544]

lot of time and quality went in to these lectures! very valuable. I will do the same

[@victorchavez2217]

IMO this is the best caro kann main line video.

[@johnjenks]

Thank you for making these, I consider you to be my coach.

[@Hybridman7]

Thank you, that's very instructive!

[@Carlwatkins1984]

Fantastic video, thanks for sharing. I have learned a lot from this video and really enjoyed the explanation of the Flohr variation.

[@christophejallon6591]

Thanks to you friend ! All of your videos are a great job !

[@Catastrophe699]

Ty for uploading this sir this is really helpful

[@UncleBuck560]

Great job! I love your lessons!

[@venugopalvivek007]

kudos to you sir, we appreciate the time and energy you have put in creating this content for us. god bless!!

[@manishgori1]

Very nice videos, Sir you will go long way...with love and respect..from fan..

[@HangingPawns]

Thank you Sir:) it's great to hear that!

[@owencrawford5984]

Please do some other videos on stuff like tactics and checkmates, love the vids

[@Schmated64]

I have actually found the line with 7... e6 quite playable. It can be a good way to get your opponent out of main line theory and the knight on e5 can easily by challenged with moves such as Nd7 to exchange off his strong knight, and so i have always stood fine here.

[@mountainlover90]

Thanks for the videos mate, great content.

[@atharva2576]

Excellent explanation!!

[@ShiOW]

10:40 what is the other possible move for black?

[@davidgrandm453]

lol he was so focused on that line he never got back to telling us the other one XD

[@data-dynamo-guy]

Thanks a lot, it helps me a lot

[@rajivgupta7494]

very informative channel really like the video of caro kann

[@joshuastephens9]

great content, thanks!

[@georgepurvis5874]

Good job! I love your videos.

[@ertuchertuch2233]

Nice video, i'd like to say that after Nh3 and e6 there is f4 move that should be considered.

[@TLOU_RareRealisticViciousPlay.]

7:45 What can you do if they defend with the queen

[@pabloochoac.7111]

On the Flohr Var. What will be the best continuation for the movement 8.c3? I believe you offered some suggestions for 8. H4 and 8. Nh5 but with c3, the development will continue in the same way? Thanks!

[@alexanderdurig4474]

very nicely done - thank you

[@HangingPawns]

No problem! I'm glad you like it. Hope you win some games with it:)

[@batistalift]

Nice video, but I think one crucial line is missing, namely playing the Flohr after h4, followed by a sacrificing attack: 6. h4 h6 7. Nh3 (or N1e2) e6 8. Nf4 Bh7 9. Bc4 Nf6 10. 0-0 Bd6 11. Nxe6 fxe6 12. Bxe6 Stockfish says Black is slightly better, but imo it's hard to play. And I dont see a good way to prevent this once you go for the main line.

[@jahskido06]

I always play Nd5! (blocking that light Bishop on the a2g8 diagonal) whenever White has Nf4 and Bc4 is played. As you mentioned it's hard to play these sacrificial lines as Black. Nd5 may not be the best move but i can get typical Caro Kann positions in which i can out play my opponents with experience & understanding.

[@batistalift]

@@jahskido06 Thank you for your comment

[@smallakam7310]

Great!

[@playerx-s4v]

10:10 what about if white plays Ne5

[@DanialRemon-l7y]

Exchange it with your knight

[@gerardogarza8841]

I've gone from 1,100 to 1,401 thanks to your videos. All in the span of two weeks. Thank you, master!

[@alualu7805]

Ive gone from 1500? to 977 to 1287

[@gerardogarza8841]

In currently on 1,482 Chess.com

[@dancewithgoli7817]

@@alualu7805 this you lichess rating?

[@chessmaster-f1r]

This is helping my caro cann ALOT..what is your rating ?

[@HangingPawns]

My current elo is 1856. I'm glad this helps!

[@mugbhary]

Thank u

[@ninjaclone09]

7:40 why is c3 too weak to play? What would black be able to do to exploit it if white played c3? I don't see how it's supposed to be weak when if you follow the main line you play c3 anyways and you end up with your pawn on c4.

[@deepay1840]

.

[@orcunsahin9960]

Passive

[@geetadabra1519]

Sir but some people plays first h4 and then after h6 nh3..... than how shall we react to that as they are threading nf4 and then capture ... ! How shall we react to it

[@wallstreettkid]

How did you accumulate all this knowledge Stepan?

[@makentosh956]

Great

[@Nathan-wq6uj]

Why is pawn c3 too weak blocking the queenh5 check?

[@crazybot323]

Would be better for queen on c7 if you have the horse and bishop attacking e7

[@meenadeshmukh6259]

sir what is your rating

[@ensoberbecer]

Against the floor Nh3 I prefer Nd7 with e5 if Nf4... Black stands more active

[@erikrego9350]

Why is ...Nd7 necessary after 6. h4 h6, 7. Nf3 Nd7, but not after 6. Nf3?

[@bujarmurati3004]

Why give up the bishop pair against 5.Nc5 if you can simply play Nd7 6. Nxb7 Qb6 7. Nc5 Nxc5 8. dxc5 Qxc5?

[@sserwaddajoseph5869]

Very good video. Much love from Uganda.... However, i do not agree with h5 h4 h3 and then checkmate 🤣🤣

[@chessgeek10707]

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 5 Ng3 Bg6 6 Bc4. After 6 . . . e6 7 c3, why does Black play 7 . . . Bd6, which opens itself to 8 Nh5 (threat of Nxg7+) Bxh5 9 Qxh5 and loses his bishop pair? Is 7 . . . Nf6 viable?

[@Syllogi9]

7... Nf6 will be followed by 8. Nbd7 and then black will lose the bishop pair anyway.

[@koushikghosh1947]

Sir how to improve the calculation skill? ??

[@HangingPawns]

I think the best method is to solve tactical problems without moving the pieces. That improves your calculation speed and visualisation. Never use an engine or move pieces while calculating. And do 20-50 puzzles a day:)

[@prajithpt9677]

👍

[@Sough]

Liked most of this but to claim the main line is unsound for white is too hyperbolic

[@HangingPawns]

I used the wrong phrasing. I agree. It's not unsound, it just doesn't give white any advantage in my opinion.

[@mathiasespindola843]

😃

[@hybridtoy1555]

Hi there. Fantastic video and great channel :) I have a query. Please can you explain why c3 is so weakening for white after black plays Qa5? When I play the Caro-Kann, my opponents usually castle kingside so I'm not sure where the weakness lies. Any help would be much appreciated!

[@girthehuman7853]

My best guesses is it causes multiple disruptions that can be avoided if you were to not push the pawn (since you can't move it back, the weakness generated may not super intuitive to fix, or doesn't seem clear at first) it removes the guard from the queen, disrupts your pawn structure on your queen side since kingside already has been opened, and doesnt take advantage of a tempo on the queen that you would get with Bd2, and youd have to maintain control of the b1-h7 diagonal so your opponent can't use it for their own potential plan.

[@merimackara]

so much theory... but that also requires my opponent to know the theory, if he doesnt know what hes doing ill gain advantage

[@thomasbeckett1245]

Unfortunately the carrokann is my most winning type game, and I don’t understand it. 😂❤😂… so complicated!

[@yann7196]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXzZdpeglLmWg5Ym15s Plus if you play Nd7 and white plays Ne5 you take the Knight, he recapture with the paw and instead of trading queens you have Qa5+ then winning the pawn with check ^^

[@andrewlee4955]

why u use so many losing or winning posistion in ur vids

[@gun1249]

Not easy

[@danielbrener718]

Very bad reviewer

[@oscarlpithecus]

Sorry, the Trump ad is a deal breaker. Will study the Caro on my own.

[@gusramirez5647]

KZbinrs can't choose which ads are placed on their videos, FYI