How To Crush The Caro-Kann As White [Every Move Is A TRAP]

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In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov teaches how to counter the Caro-Kann Defense, one of the most solid chess openings for Black against 1.e4. You will learn to counter it with the Two Knights Variation, which arises after the following moves: 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3.
This tricky yet solid variation gives White numerous attacking opportunities, regardless of Black's response. It also includes several deadly traps; in fact, if Black is careless, they can get checkmated in just 6 moves!
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► Chapters
00:00 Counter the Caro-Kann Defense | Two Knights Attack
00:38 1) Black plays 3...dxe4
01:08 Famous Smothered Mate Trap
02:54 1.2) Black plays 4...Bf5
05:07 1.3) Black plays 4...Nd7
06:33 Black's best response
08:29 2) Black plays 3...d4
10:36 3) Black plays 3...Bg4 (Mindeno Variation)
11:01 Puzzle of the day
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#IgorNation #ChessOpenings #CaroKann #ChessTraps #OpeningTraps #CaroKannDefense

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@farouqbaiti4315]

It's a great choice of sending this link.😁

[@makjingjiun7175]

2:45 nonono, did you see the mate

[@dnthymamai]

yes! He does say it one move later, but there is no need to recapture the Knight. Just Qe6 and mate. (He knows this of course, probably slipped his mind while he was explaining the advantages of the position)

[@makjingjiun7175]

​@@dnthymamaiYes, I hope he will revise it😅

[@CoolGuy-bt9ik]

Yes, it is checkmate Qe6. He missed to mention.

[@joshpinchuk7061]

I saw this too

[@marcusspahn9168]

SAW that

[@rashmikumar6092]

Bro really loves bullying gotham subs

[@josephsalmonte4995]

It serves them right for being Gotham subs

[@Scrambledbrains3601]

​@@josephsalmonte4995yeah you wouldn't know anything about that hu😅

[@hemantsharma2596]

​@@josephsalmonte4995your elo

[@hemantsharma2596]

Bro just study Caro kan variations and you will be fine

[@abracadabra16234]

At least Igor doesn't milk Magnus for content like Levy 😂😂😂 and to add on top of that, Igor is a GM 😂😂

[@gregoryfray4366]

11:09 White can play Nxd4 if Black plays QxNd4 white can play BxBg4. If Black plays BxBe2 white can take back with the knight and be up a pawn

[@justinbrown7622]

thank you!

[@cikonianiggra1415]

How simple and I didn´t see it. Well, I am a dull chess player. Thank you.

[@jacknigh3176]

@GMIgorSmirnov, are you checking to see if we're paying attention by playing Qxg4 instead of the checkmate at 2:45

[@Zywl]

good observation, why not go checkmate directly?

[@slippery_noodle9388]

Purposefully ignored probably to make people comment this exact thing and drive up engagement on his video. GM tactics when you think about it

[@Zywl]

@@slippery_noodle9388 actually, I think he missed this one

[@listentotfrost]

I’m currently going through a hard phase in my life, u wouldn’t know how much chess makes it better 🥺 I started 2 months ago btw and I’m enjoying

[@HilKupah-sx7wp]

I totally get you. Chess got me through some tough times

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

▶ GM Smirnov is on Instagram! Follow now for engaging, bite-sized chess content - instagram.com/gm.igorsmirnov/

[@pleaserush8812]

can you make a video about the caro can defense-euwe attack?

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Counter the Caro-Kann Defense | Two Knights Attack 00:38 1) Black plays 3...dxe4 01:08 Famous Smothered Mate Trap 02:54 1.2) Black plays 4...Bf5 05:07 1.3) Black plays 4...Nd7 06:33 Black's best response 08:29 2) Black plays 3...d4 10:36 3) Black plays 3...Bg4 (Mindeno Variation) 11:01 Puzzle of the day

[@hemantsharma2596]

Sir I respect you but as caro kann player i play nd7 is on 5th move in 2 knights mindeno variation 😅

[@farouqbaiti4315]

1. Nxd4 Qxd4 2. Bxg4

[@wilsonwong7223]

Nxf6 challenging bishop with queen in spot

[@lordhelps1]

You have great stuff. Thank you!

[@GaryFerrao]

Thanks, this is a great way to learn!~

[@qwksilver5150]

Thanks Igor. I might add this to the rotation VS Kann but I really love the fantasy variation you gave us last year.

[@marcphilbin2482]

These videos have been very informative and has allowed me to really improve my game!

[@tessa8230]

“I won’t mention them by name, but if you want to beat GothamChess subscribers here’s how to do it.” 😂

[@Master_of_Chess_Shorts]

Nice traps! Thanks.

[@ldpickett28]

YESSSS Just won a game against the Caro-Kann using your smothered mate trick. That was awesome! LOL Thank you for putting this vid together Igor and for all the content you post for free. I've learned a so many of cool tricks, traps and openings from your vids.

[@thomasmosesogugu7251]

Thanks once again Igor. I cant get enough of you lessons. Much appreciated. I will no=longer fear the Caro-Kann

[@hr9653]

Now I like to face Caro-Kann

[@marcsee4072]

Wow i am learning and using these to my great advantage. Igor thank you 🙏

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🙏

[@WilliamSuvanne]

2:45 mate in one missed❤

[@geraldmarek4867]

Trat is what I thought, too

[@user-bh3wz2sc9e]

Thanks a million

[@RedArremer]

11:22 I've been playing the Caro-Kann for decades. This line doesn't work if black knows to play 5...Be7. Now 6. e5 is a tempo-losing move because there's no knight to kick out. Additionally later on in the video, it's claimed black will play Bg7 after Bf8. In reality, black can simply repeat Be7 and white doesn't have anything there either except to take a quick draw by going back to Qh6.

[@sreedhar06A]

At 2:46 Qxg4. But even without taking knight on g4, directly Qe6# as there is no chance to black king to escape or any other piece to protect it.

[@fearlv1rattata]

Tartakower makes for some of the most fun games tbh. I always play Caro. 2 knights is nothing to be afraid of.

[@kamerona]

I used to win most games against people near my rating (about 1650) against the Caro Kann when they played bishop f5. I've noticed hardly anyone plays this line now. Mostly they play knight f6 early. This video gave me a few ideas for that line now! Thanks Igor 😊

[@brianbeattyphotography]

ahh. the savage responses I've been waiting for. awesome!

[@ricardopinto2611]

I've seen a lot of chess videos and I'm trying to create a thinking system that can filter out the various golden rules and concepts. I thought in the following way and order: 1) discover the opponent's biggest threat mainly within my half of the board 2) Try to attack any piece or weak square mainly in my opponent's half of the board 3) If number 2 is not possible, try to prepare an attack using preferably the least active piece. WHAT'S YOUR OPINION? I await response. thanks

[@henockpeterhp]

11:08 .... i think Nxd4 is the best move.........Qxd4 , then Bxg4 .........if Bxe2 , then Nxe2.....

[@christineduoli8508]

At 11:13 the answer to the puzzle is Nxd4. If they take with the queen you take their bishop, and if they take your bishop you take back the bishop with your knight.

[@ladislavsykora2701]

Hi Igor, in 2min 47sec isn't it better to have a queen on e6 checkmate than to take a knight?

[@atanubanerjee3243]

Of course, it is..

[@NF-Alpha]

2:37 why should i take the knight when there's a mate there on Qe6#

[@havyfi5625]

Levy just pooped his pants

[@jonaskrainbring487]

Well, he recommends 6…Qa5. And since this move isn‘t covered here I think everyone will be fine. Great video here and chessly users won‘t lose any sleep because of it :-) Both channels are great for chess imho.

[@maximepoca9396]

Woow that is already exactly what I play against the caro kann Even that line against Bg4, that I thought was quite unknown and very trappy Also on that line, on move 8 if black plays C5 instead of Be7, which is very common, they lose on the spot with the same Qh5, and some Nb5 idea to infiltrate on c7 or d6 Nice video !

[@tanujvrbgs9210]

Nxd4 is the move. If Qxd4, then Bxg4, winning a pawn in total. If Bxe2, then Ndxe2, saving the knight and recapturing the bishop on e2.

[@pleaserush8812]

can you make a video about the caro can- euwe atack

[@atanubanerjee3243]

Kindly cover colorado gambit for black..

[@ragibrownok8825]

At 2:42 shouldn't you mate on e6 instead of recapturing the knight?

[@ladislavsykora2701]

Ahoj Igor, v 2min 47 sec nie je lepšie kráľovna na e6 mat ako brať jazdca ?

[@gregohrmund7197]

Love this option and of course the alien gambit!! Don’t boo!!!

[@bevannematadzira]

On the variation in which the 1 ....Qd5 2Bc4 Bg6 3 Qg4 threatening checkmate on c8 . The Queen is under attack by the Bishop we have an extra tempo .... Qd8 4 Nxg6 fxg6 5 Qxg6 then you start a king hunt .That's what l saw a long that line

[@MrJorjantas]

What if we play 5. Nxf6 getting into the tartakower variation, aiming to an endgame with pawn majority on the queen side?

[@brunojani7968]

I love you Igor

[@DaveRossignol]

At 2:45 you recommend taking the Knight but Q-d5 is mate.

[@AchievesTV]

Qe6, definitely not Qd5

[@DaveRossignol]

Gawd. I can’t even write the notation right. Thx

[@olivercarlehed]

On 2:32 you can also go KE5 (sacrificing the queen) imho

[@juleslondon3088]

Pretty sure both Eric Rosen and Naroditsky play this line in their speed runs and other content (although Danya also advocates the Fantasy). However, it doesn’t come up that often and is never really explored in depth so nice to have a dedicated video.

[@kaosarsufian1119]

at 2:28, i think it would be better if you move knight e5 sacrificing the queen because if bishop takes, then it's checkmate

[@rudradevsingh228]

Igor what do we do if after 3. dxe4 , Nxe4 Qe2 Nxe4, Qxe4 and Qd5??? The annoying computer wants me to trade queens, I don't even see how white is even better it's basically a quick draw

[@amritmenda6526]

The puzzle of the day_ Knight into d4... Queen into d4... Bishop into g4 and if bishop into bishop e2 instead of queen into d4.. then knight d4 into bishop e2...this tactic is similar to French defense Nimzovich variation where Knight into e5 is threat of black and white has to take Knight d4 into c6 or Bishop b5 has to be played pinning Knight c6 to king

[@mrfokus901]

I ain't gone lie... Dude the GOAT

[@timpackable]

7:27 in, after n.c4, why wouldn’t white play n.f7 immediately and fork the queen and rook? Ends up much better than just winning a pawn?

[@kadkadeameya]

I was playing this line for a long time before people started playing dxe4 Nxe4 Nf6 Qe2 Nxe4 Qxe4 and Qd4 looking for a trade. Can someone give me a good line here. Also awesome job on remaking one of your old masterpieces.

[@eclecticexplorer7828]

The puzzle was easy. Nxd4. If Qxd4, then Bxg4. White has a bishop and a pawn for a knight, and he is ahead in development. White can go ahead and castle, then bring the rook to e1, or d3 followed by Be3, developing with a tempo because the queen has to move.

[@jonm9147]

3:17 the best move is h5 not h6 it’s a different game when you play that. You can also push the pawn on h4 when h6 is played.

[@AbdulKaberoow]

Pls make more videos on how crash Caro kann

[@patatjebolle]

2.45: Qe6 checkmate instead of Qxg4???!

[@Rad-uy1wv]

in d4 line why black cant play e5 to support d4 , if you take the e4 pawn with knight after Qe7 isnt black able to capture the e4 pawn ? even i remember 2900 engine plays this against me

[@pradipkoley9183]

Sir he will take the d4 pawn and sacrifice his knight to hang his bishop and if he captures the bishop then we do not recapture by the queen but with the knight and we are up a pawn and have a great position.Sacrifice the knight in the MC hammers style

[@joesweeney1712]

2:23 I would play knight to e5 here. Mate on f7 with the bishop of black takes the queen.

[@yogeshbobde9135]

Mate on f7 you mean?

[@joesweeney1712]

Ah yeah. My bad. Edited it now

[@ExtraditionLawFirm]

👍

[@user-kz7im6jp6d]

The both knights be like we are the unbeatable duo 🗿☠️

[@thetruthseekersofnorway2396]

Good day, great content but it is a BIG mistake to take the knight on g4, when you can checkmate right away on e6. Very important to give the opponent as few chances as possible :)

[@dr.z1554]

At 12:20 with Bg5 attacking Queen, he says you have a great position. What about Qb6 attacking both d4 and b2 pawns. White castles 0-0-0 black castles 0-0. No more attack.

[@NikitaRykov-uj1dw]

2:45 you don't have to take a knight, you can just play Qe6# right away

[@shubhamkumarmajhi8943]

As a caro kann player i love this video😂

[@kevinzabel3144]

What if Pawn D4 by black right after i played Knight F3?

[@isaiahbrown339]

How is pawn d3 a mate??

[@abj136]

At 2:40 instead of Bxf7+ I would rather try a queen sac with Ne5 threatening Bxf7++. If they take your queen, game over. If Bh5, Qxh5 and game over. If e6 blocking mate, Nxg4 and game over. It Be6, Bxe6 fxe6 and you have an edge.

[@gollumchess]

you missed be6 after ne5

[@robbiepreble5974]

2:46 instead of taking knight, is qd6 not checkmate???

[@cm-a-jivheshchoudhari9418]

What if they play pawn takes pawn at e4 at 11:09?

[@arch1q892]

I'm playing this line a lot

[@GrosPointRouge]

As a Caro player, the 2 knights fell much easier to play against compared to the fantasy

[@2000yearslaterrr]

Dont you have Ne5 and they cant take your queen because of Bxf7# at 2:35 (its the top engine move)

[@WingedEspeon]

Nxd4 for your puzzle.

[@danielepini4169]

I won't mention them by name, BUT - *proceedes to say the name within 2 seconds flat*

[@prplt]

I just play the other trap line with Ne2 😂

[@claudi917]

9:35 and 9:13 how would you deal with d3?

[@prawnydagrate]

i was thinking the same thing, we can just check with stockfish though

[@williamtaracido2652]

I think Knight f4 Double attack on the pon on d3 and black can’t defend

[@Prototype7Vx]

Isnt it checkmate without recapturing the knight?

[@steveburgess23]

I play the Caro. This is a great line.

[@allenbradley3806]

Igor vs Gotham! Gotham try the Kann defence like fisher would do to his opponents, I'll bring the popcorn

[@peterochieng9040]

Play h3 to counter attack

[@gr8pointsbytanayshah17]

11:10 Nxd4 if Qxd4 Bxg4 if Bxe2 Nxe2

[@okamisansempai557]

👍🏻

[@salemtv5808]

so ..is this a refutation for caro kann and we need to find a good opening?

[@abj136]

Not a refutation, but definitely you need to know a good black line against e4 Nc3 Nf3

[@user-iw2cl4ug7z]

Alien gambit!!! Oh sorry wrong channel

[@valvennis]

NXP..

[@your_innervoice]

3:10 just pin the knight to queen and if attacked then take it.. i play like this

[@grad83]

i love caro kann

[@Naborbukv2]

3:05 what about Bg4? d4 is answer

[@muskyoxes]

e4 c6 Nc3 d5 Nf3 d4 Ne2 d3 easily avoids losing the pawn, yeah? Maybe that's not great for black, but better than what's shown

[@ID123Test]

These are all moves I have played after watching Eric Rosen

[@thetransferaccount4586]

two knights that's really it

[@godwishnyambuya9737]

Igor why did u miss mate in one you captured N instead of Qe6#

[@pixelatedmasterspicenotsaa1554]

2:42 there's a checkmate and he missed it,queen to e6

[@vk4331]

levy crying rn need to see his response

[@kristianbjornhansen2195]

Is Igor still active outside of youtube? Maybe i'm looking the wrong place, but doesn't look like he had any movements on his ELO FIDE since 2009?

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

He started coaching 13 years ago. He does not play FIDE rated tournaments anymore.

[@drewspinoso4849]

Ahhh come on!

[@timrocksnrolls]

Queen did not need to take Knight. Checkmate at e6 first.

[@user-ot2eg9jc6d]

2:43 he could’ve deliver mate or am I missing something?

[@user-pg5su1cj3s]

Qe6 mate Master

[@ThomasDong-zy4gw]

what if bg4

[@AikenBruce]

WOW I am crushing the Caro Kann now!!!

[@charlies8282]

the first game most common move is wrong. You dont take the pawn or advance.