How to CRUSH the Caro-Kann!

Thank you so much to Audible for sponsoring this video!
Visit audible.com/imrosen or text "imrosen" to 500-500 to sign up for a free trial and to get a free audiobook of your choice!
In this video, I show how to crush the Caro-Kann Defense.
0:00 Introduction
1:25 Thank you Audible
2:50 Two Knights Attack Overview
3:50 The Most Common Trap -- Punish Bf5
10:58 Traps against the "Tartakower Variation"
18:44 EASY plans vs 3...d4
23:36 CLEVER TRAPPY LINE vs 3...Bg4
27:52 AGGRESSIVE GAMBITS vs 3...Nf6
Analyze all the variations in this video: lichess.org/study/RHQLcFIb
Mentioned videos:
@GothamChess's How to CRUSH with the Caro-Kann:
• How to CRUSH with the ...
@JonathanSchrantz's CRUSH the Caro-Kann with this RARE Two Knights Sideline: • CRUSH the Caro-Kann wi...
Visit go.chess.com/imrosen to get a free trial or paid membership of premium features like beginner lessons, unlimited puzzle training, and access to their extensive video library. Signups through the link will support my content!
Watch live on Twitch: / imrosen
Stream schedule: imrosen.com/schedule
Support my content: www.paypal.me/ericrosenchess
Now accepting fan mail! My mailbox address:
Eric Rosen
4579 Laclede Ave 205
St. Louis, MO 63108
♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙
WEBSITE: imrosen.com/
TWITCH: / imrosen
DISCORD: bit.ly/2KTDlBK
TWITTER: bit.ly/2sFmNqa
INSTAGRAM: bit.ly/2HspaBa
LICHESS: lichess.org/@/ericrosen
CHESS.COM: www.chess.com/member/imrosen
♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙
See Eric in the chess documentary Chess State (2015): vimeo.com/ondemand/chessstate
Chess book recommendations: imrosen.com/book-recommendati...
London Opening 8-hour video course: www.ichess.net/sale/8020-tact...
#chess #ericrosen #carokann

[@eric-rosen]

Thank you so much to Audible for sponsoring this video! Visit audible.com/imrosen or text "imrosen" to 500-500 to sign up for a free trial and to get a free audiobook of your choice!

[@EarlSmith2469]

Thank you!

[@kaiserhs6275]

I only play this line against caro kann rip my free wins

[@aabhasbindlish6938]

please do the counter to italian game and different lines of gambits and fried liver

[@TheMosquitto]

Hey Eric, I'm 1600 and play the Blackmar Diemer Gambit and keep running into 2... c6 Could you help with this?

[@Chesstastic5000]

Why do the 2 knights attack when you could do the Tal variation and have a simple attacking game without giving the adv away?

[@glowdust639]

Can't wait for Levy's "How to counter CRUSH the Caro-Kann"

[@lred1383]

Arms races are great for progress

[@KKH808]

Just play 3… Nf6 and that avoids this whole video lol. Scores 48% in blitz/rapid.

[@siraf1234]

@@KKH808 its objectively bad.

[@KKH808]

@@siraf1234 Anand, Grischuk, and Ding Liren have all successfully used Nf6 against Two Knights. If it's good enough for them it's more than good enough for you. There's a reason masters overwhelmingly prefer 2. d4 against the Caro-Kann.

[@siraf1234]

@@KKH808 Yes, in one off games. Theyve also used the Alekhines, maybe even the smith morra. Doesnt make their opening choices good, just means that the openings they chose they knew better and the opponent didnt know the refutation.

[@zacharyclark4092]

Levy and Eric having a Caro-Kann match would be god-tier content.

[@adammurai1955]

Caro-Kann sub battle would be hype too

[@aakarshmishra9088]

they've already had one I think

[@aakarshmishra9088]

@@pushingyourownagenda9889 oh my bad, thanks!

[@FakeMailElection]

@@aakarshmishra9088 Who won? My money is on Eric, Gotham is a choker.

[@paranormal17]

Oh no my friendship with Levy Also: I've been looking for ways to play against the Caro-Kann lately so thank you very much Eric

[@erikbentley9005]

LOL

[@husshussein556]

I hope he has discussed this with levi before doing this video.. otherwise it looks like a low blow.. i dont want any friction between my top two chess teachers

[@EpicGamerX]

@@husshussein556 they are actually really good friends so

[@sgrey9181]

Just play the Tal Variation.

[@JimBaumbach]

@@husshussein556 Levi had inspired me to play the fantasy variation against the Caro Kahn. What do you think of this Eric?

[@cameronschiff132]

As a Caro player, I'm sure glad I watched this cause I'm sure I'm gonna see a sudden spike in these lines now

[@MegaNardman]

lol, same

[@joe4570]

Yeah the amount of people playing the englund on lichess is anooooyyying

[@ryanoneal8480]

@@joe4570 how is it annoying? Once you learn that counter traps you just laugh and laugh and laugh. I love seeing it

[@aaronluke17]

My first thought when I saw Eric made this was “oh no, my Caro” I’ve been playing this defense for the last few months and have really enjoyed it but Eric might have killed it for me 🤦🏻‍♂️ I’m not mad, just disappointed 😔

[@cameronschiff132]

@@aaronluke17 Nah you just gotta learn these lines so these weapons can't be used against you - it's like espionage

[@GothamChess]

You're dead to me

[@Amoeba_Podre]

Oh no

[@cakepowdermix4509]

Caro kan’t eric vs levy when??

[@flowersforferdinand375]

"How to counter CRUSH the Caro-Kann"

[@Bloon-Crusher]

why has barely anyone seen this

[@f.d.3289]

hahahahaha oh boy i wanna see a rosen vs levy match :) and sorry gotham but boy will i be for rosen

[@Ildriss]

I love seeing these videos showing both sides of the play! I hope this trend continues between you and Levy :)

[@Speedster___]

Amen

[@the_Adimal]

100% agree

[@q.e.d.clashroyale6857]

Amen

[@alejrandom6592]

Q.E.D.

[@PushyPawn]

Eric: "Here are some traps and tricks in the Caro-Kann that Levy left out." Levy: "Shut up Eric, I'm trying to sell a course here!"

[@basedjeb]

As soon as I saw the vid I knew it was a response to levy lol

[@jasonbird792]

Lol

[@zacharyheflin6794]

Lol levy is a joke, you can only be worse by watching him play. I’m so thankful for Eric Rosen and the work he puts in for us to expand our own knowledge.

[@jasonbird792]

@@zacharyheflin6794 I don’t get why levy gets so much hate, he didn’t even do anything wrong

[@flyingkangoroo]

I really liked levy's video - eric completed the theme perfectly with the white persoective - what a nice synergy! Why are y'all so mad about amazing people showing us sometimes basic and sometimes funny lines...

[@zacharyheflin6794]

@@jasonbird792 it’s his style of play combined with his unwarranted ego. he’s very confident but if you compare his games to say someone like Jerry from chess network his mistakes are jarring to say the least.

[@peppermintmiso4341]

Eric apologizing to his mic is the most adorable thing I've seen today I love it!

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

This is one of the very best opening tutorials I've ever watched, and I've watched a lot of them. Great pacing, beautiful ideas made simple, and a sense of patience with the ever hopeful amateurs like me.

[@GlobusTheGreat]

Yeah I just wish Eric Rosen had something for d4 players like me, who prefer placing their dark squared bishop on f4 early on

[@sollertia_]

@@GlobusTheGreat genuine question: are you serious or joking?

[@GlobusTheGreat]

@@sollertia_ Then I phrased it perfectly :)

[@Bigdaddyman1]

As an e4 player: Levy releases a how to crush with the Caro video: anger Eric releases a how to crush the Caro video: happy

[@catcat4697]

True that

[@abdurrahmanmujahid1577]

As an e4 AND c6 player its a win-win for me

[@danya5211]

The 2 knights is very nice to play against as black just play Qd5 instead of Nbd7🤨

[@abdurrahmanmujahid1577]

@@danya5211 Nah rather dont go into that line since Bf5 is a mistake.

[@danya5211]

@@abdurrahmanmujahid1577no I was talking about taking on e4 then Nf6 Qe2 Nxe4 Qxe4 and Qd5 😃

[@thebishopchess]

as a Caro-Kann players this video is great because now I know what to do against these traps😅

[@jashparikh6685]

Levy whispering to himself: Let's make a video named how to crush the Stafford gambit 😅

[@Speedster___]

Congrats on 500k! Super well deserved!

[@user-dw6eg8oo7g]

Brilliant video thank tou Eric Rosen, an International Chess Master who was born Sept. 3, 1993 and grew up in Skokie, Illinois. Eric’s older brother Alex taught him to play chess in the summer of 2001 at the age of 7, while they were on a family vacation at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. He competed in his first tournament at age 8. By age 9, he won the Illinois 3rd Grade State Championship. He graduated from Niles North High School in 2012, where he led his chess team to two state championships, won the U.S. K12 Championship during his junior year, was voted homecoming king his senior year and was a featured subject in the documentary Chess State, which chronicled high school chess in Illinois. He earned his Fide Master Title in 2011, and his International Master Title in 2015. He attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana for two years, where he and his longtime friend and fellow chess player Michael Auger revived the school’s chess team. The team made it to the Final Four competition of College chess in 2013 and 2014, an almost unprecedented accomplishment for a school that had no formal chess program. He later transferred to Webster University, where from 2015 to 2017 he competed for Webster University SPICE under the direction of former World Women's Champion, Susan Polgar. He graduated from Webster in 2017 with a B.A. in Interactive Digital Media, Over the years, Eric has worked with a number of coaches who helped him tremendously. These include Tamara Golovey, GM Dmitry Gurevich, GM Yury Shulman, and GM Mesgen Amanov. After graduating from Webster, Eric focused on teaching chess and on a number of creative freelance projects, all while traveling the world and competing in chess tournaments. In 2017, he also established a Twitch Channel and began creating more regular content for his KZbin Channel, which he established in 2013. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he stopped traveling and for now is mainly based in St. Louis and devotes almost all his working time to creating online content. His KZbin and Twitch channels took off in 2020, growing to more than 300,000 KZbin subscribers and more than 100,000 Twitch followers by Jan. 1, 2021. Other Interests: Tennis, Scrabble, Photography, Ping Pong, Hacky Sack, Bowling, Geoguessr (check out the Eric Rosen Extra channel on KZbin)

[@OregonMikeH]

These are my most favored type of videos from you Eric, Thanks so much for always including these types of lesson plans, just FANTASTIC!

[@aniketm910]

Your knowledge of opening traps is incredible Eric. Thanks for sharing this stuff. Keep up the good work!

[@presenter8059]

I love the Bf5 line, it's the same aman showed in the habits series I've been playing the two knights against the caro ever since!

[@michaelpeck3254]

I love that these two have an extremely watchable rivalry. When I watch each, especially when they are in some way against each other, it doesnt feel like learning. It feels like watching a sport and I love it.

[@MrCraigMeighan]

I just won a bullet game using the "oh no my queen" variation. Worked perfectly and I got to do the catchphrase! Also a full piece up in an ongoing daily game because of this video. It is so well explained, that even a brand new player like me can understand it and use it effectively. Thank you Eric for the excellent content.

[@KancerKowboy]

Thank you for this one, Eric. I have actually been wanting something like this of late.

[@n8m881]

JUST AS I START LEARNING THE CARO KANN, Eric makes this video.... maybe I'll wait a couple weeks to start playing it more :)

[@54Luca69]

This video may also be helpful to you, shows which lines maybe to avoid and also learning what white wants to do in these positions, so you can attempt to stop it.

[@douwehuysmans5959]

Just play Bg4 and then don't play d4

[@pschneider1968]

Great content, thanks Eric! I like to play the Caro-Kann with Black, now I'm feeling a little bit more prepared to play against it with White, with some other variation than my usual Panov Attack...

[@JimmysGarden]

Thank you for the great video. I haven't played or looked at chess for 40 years but have started playing again. A lot to relearn your video's are helping. Thank you. 👍

[@GeneralBlorp]

Audible is the shit. Helps with insomnia once you get used to it... I literally fall asleep within ~15 minutes of turning on any audio book now. Some folks need to "train" their brain a bit to adjust, but once you do it's almost an automatic / drug free sleep aide.

[@denios36]

Thanks for this great exploration of variations, learned a lot from this!

[@tahayasingencer487]

Certainly useful and enthusiastic to try. Thanks Eric!

[@NathanHarrison7]

Another excellent video! Very organized and thorough. Thank you!

[@andreasnilsson9463]

I watched this video an hour before an over-the-board classical game. I could blitz the first 10 moves and get one of the exact positions you showed. I ended up winning, so thank you!

[@briansanders5278]

After watching Levy's video and this video, I can safely say that chess is hard.

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

And you, Mister Squid, win this week's award for Most Underrated KZbin Comment.

[@anshscience]

Submit this to Guinness world records!

[@nandersen6611]

Eric Rosen, you are a great teacher, and I enjoy your work! Thanks for the great content.

[@peterkeen9399]

Tried this for the first time today, and it worked well. Thanks!

[@FrancescoGuerrieri]

I'm glad you decided against leaving out the last chapter - very useful!

[@simpsonzack22]

Fantastic video, bud. Keep em coming.

[@d4cexusiai571]

Gratz on 500k subs Eric!

[@toledo980]

Its so easy to play this lines, it is effective and natural. Thank you very much Eric

[@itzalex9216]

Great video Eric👍 I hope you make more of these educational openingvideoes in the future😊

[@muhammadhammad7742]

Both yours and his video are amzing, both are teaching us , this is a collab and you and gotham are also learning from each other.👌

[@markcaza6083]

Love your stuff!!!! Always thumbs up and always trying to catch your streams. The best chess channel hands down!! And remember, more hands when you're coaching!!!!! hahahaha

[@seanhunter111]

Oh no my favourite line as white vs the Caro! I love playing the 2 knights. THanks for these.

[@felixhinz3804]

Thank you Eric! Great Video

[@BM-hj6lq]

Great video. I have been playing the two knights attack against Caro-Kann ever since Aman showed some of these lines in his ‘building good habits series’. Eric goes deeper here I think.

[@metrifiko_mag]

Im so happy you have sponsors now! And audible is actually cool

[@yeshayazweig1869]

Thank you Eric! I just did an “oh no my queen” with this exact setup and won! It works!

[@KimberCTurner]

"Oh no, my Queen." I love it! I laugh every time you show one of those. Great video!!

[@krot464]

Nice! Keep up with the opening videos, as a player that doesn't study openings these are really fun and helpfull and can build my repertoire. Edit: I would like to see Evans gambit covered.

[@robertcooper1952]

Excellent video, thanks!

[@jorj2023]

The smothered mate trap gave me my first OTB tournament win. Great content.

[@terraincognita1481]

8:55, so interesting. When I was less experienced Caro-Kann player I had exactly ALL THESE TEN MOVES in the game against a famous Russian GM Crest64. And then, as far as I know, I blundered Nxf7 threat. That was so disgusting, I even decided to change my opening repertoire after that defeat. Only a bit later I decided: hey, perhaps Caro is what I need actually, but I just have to take it much more seriously than just some template stuff. Since that time I never had such position again... but my Caro opponents in Two Knights had, haha. A really nice weapon against a club Caro player!

[@manum5550]

u rock eric, 400 rated player, attempting to go up to 1000, i find a lot of players in the 1000 trying the caro opening, thanks

[@JacksonPriceSonder]

This same format of video but in the French! This was very enjoyable

[@ink8660]

Wait, I can't believe this. I love you, Eric. Deep work, by Cal Newport has been one of my all time favorite reads, and you just recommended it. That's a subscription and a half, if I wasn't already subscribed

[@xaptive7458]

I'd love to see a video like this for playing against the French. I play The Tarrasch and...it's fine. But not as tricky / trappy as this.

[@vmvds]

in the french a common theme is the greek gift sacrifice. but its less common in the tarrasch, i found

[@igorswies5913]

Thank you I fell for this once and even played Qd5 (my opponent didn't even go Bc4). Now I think I will start playing the two knights attack as white. I donated 1 BAT via Brave because I saw I can.

[@user-wd1og1mx1i]

Worked like a charm! Thx 👊

[@usualhumanxd353]

Thanks, Eric! This is amazing stuff)

[@NkarinanyeNaome]

Very nice video,l think it's the best counter video I've watched so far

[@sayafkhan748]

This stuff deserves rewatching amd I have am here for one.💯

[@tomkinnally9656]

This is THE most impactful video of my life. I play the King's Gambit regularly and it fails miserably to Caro-Kann. I have grown to despise and detest all Caro-Kann players and I desperately want to send them home in hopeless tears!. Thank you Mr. Rosen.

[@cerongul529]

Great video thank you

[@chandankumar-ir3cz]

As usual Amazing Eric🙃. Thank you 😊

[@Pablo360able]

The line in Chapter 5 reminds me of the Van Geet Attack (something I play a lot as a 1. Nc3 devotee), except with Black having a pawn on c5 instead of e5 and getting Nf3 for free. Incredible.

[@Whifflord]

Eric I love the timing between this and Gotham's vid a mini war between the fan bases

[@allemyr]

Impressive quality of the lecture Eric! Don’t know anyone that explains better then you!

[@seventy3percent]

Hey Eric, love your videos! Would you cover aggressive approaches against the French & English?

[@bobbynygaardchrisitansen6874]

as a hobby Caro Kann player I learn a lot from this video of what not to fall for. I wouldn't call the Caro Kann crushed but more to look out for.

[@onlyme2579]

I would say it crushes. After watching this video, my win percentage against the Caro shot way up, well over 60%, to put it humbly. I study this video.

[@brandonbush1]

Today I CRUSHED someone with the Bf5 trap line and I giggled like a maniac after every move! They didn't take the queen, so no "oh no my queen" moment, but check mate a few moves later was almost as sweet. Thanks Eric!

[@joejtkelly]

I would love to see a tricky danish gambit video. I saw levy’s but it was more solid approached and I’d like to see a more aggressive and teapot version 👍

[@LordSoviet]

Love this type of video thanks Eric! I just know I wont face any caro-kanners when I play some chess games now

[@hernanruiz756]

This was very interesting! Even for caro kann players, thank you eric

[@JakeBradfordGuitar]

I love the friendly rivalry with you and Gotham!!!!

[@yornvaniersel6154]

Love the thumbnail! Great educational content!

[@felpan1304]

thank you eric!

[@nimzomitch]

Love the long form videos like these

[@Maveric78]

Amazing free content

[@Hybridman7]

Thanks for the Caro-Kann material :)

[@MrSupernova111]

Pretty cool! I prefer my accelerated panov attack but this variation seems nice for repeat encounters with the same players otb. Thanks!

[@nalim2499]

This won me a game today thank you Eric. Opponent played Nf6 after I played Qh5.

[@Haakl1]

What a great thumbnail!!! And a great video again of course!

[@caleb10950]

Would love a video on playing against the Scandinavian defense or generally recommendations for 1. e4 d5!

[@Jake6Enjoyer]

he has a video with a cool trap against it

[@Mranav_]

Omg that is amazing!!!!

[@seanmckelvey335]

I don't listen to ads, but I'll support you, Eric!

[@giacomodibiase9464]

I'm not one of your hardcore fans as I don't watch your streams, but I must congratulate you for this video. Probably the best opening video I've ever seen on youtube. It seems I might become one of your hardcore fans soon 😄😄.

[@anurag1923]

Nice explain sir

[@brianlam5847]

One of my friends is just slightly over my elo, and he plays Caro-Kann literally every time he plays Black. No joke, he studied so much Caro, he plays nothing else. I tried the Tal, forgot lines, and this really helped.

[@zachdelagarza1609]

Being a Caro player myself, I’m mad happy you put this out. Lol

[@paidopinions2168]

thank you this actually happened to me

[@dylanjchess]

Alright we've had the Eric vs Levy London match. When's the Caro match coming?

[@sushilkhadse6814]

Thank you sir

[@bzmentor]

Thanks !!

[@Speedster___]

Many thanks! Super useful! Now the Scandi? More collabs?

[@terroristsnakecat4830]

That first line gave me ptsd of the first time I ever played against my coach, it was also the first time I had ever played against a 2 knight caro kann

[@OregonMikeH]

Saved to my Chess File, Thanks, .. Mike.

[@nicomolina]

Thanks a lot master

[@vinegarsalt4675]

Starting out playing the caro kann, I've learnt to play this opening the hard way, I'm definitely one of the games in each variation >

[@krzysiuinthejungle]

Im looking forward to seeing some preparation againts French defense!

[@kevinbecker8016]

Love this video! Can you do one with the Vienna?

[@craigtebeau3393]

you are a good teacher

[@KF1]

That was downright pleasant.