Is Caro-Kann still worth your time?

www.chessable.com/the-caro-ka...
www.chessable.com/alex-banzea...
lichess.org/coach/Banzeus
00:00 Intro
00:52 Myth no 1
06:59 Myth no 2
11:39 Myth no 3
20:27 Myth no 4
27:24 Myth no 5
Get my free course ✍️
www.chessable.com/short-sweet...
Live on 🔴:
/ alexbanzea
Follow me on 👀:
/ alex.banzea
/ alexbanzea

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@TonyVuolo]

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

[@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

[@SimenStaabyKnudsen]

Hurray! Really looking forward to the course :)

[@eliassapper9940]

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

[@Nathan_siegrist]

So hyped to get your Caro Kann course!

[@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.

[@pillager6586]

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

[@nick78042]

great video very instructive

[@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

[@jessecharity5179]

My favorite chess content on YT. Always looking forward to the new video

[@reginaldcruz530]

your videos are always fun to watch and very instructive. caro kann was always my favorite opening for black, and since watching your videos it boosted my winrate by a lot. Now I'm trying learn vienna by watching your videos and it fits well on my playstyle.

[@jonathansampson7450]

Lowkey thinking about picking up that caro course 👀 thank you for all the educational content!!

[@TheBackyardProfessor]

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

[@antoinelaquerre4249]

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

[@0KashMash0]

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

[@kylezo]

yooo the little popout animation of the side lines is a true brilliancy thanks dude.

[@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.

[@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

[@tiburtino2]

Thank you, Alex. After learning the Caro the way you taught us in your videos, I can start a game any day of the week without paying attention to my opponent's rating. That's why I've just bought your new course.

[@peter_castle]

Amazing course!

[@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)

[@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.

[@gerardorodriguez-uf9rx]

I can honestly say my game has improved since starting the karokan. And the vienna opening! Love your videos and content! 💯

[@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.

[@JerkyJones100]

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

[@thahumancube]

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

[@alexbenoit9456]

Thank you so much for your videos ! Enjoying playing caro and jobava london exclusively at my bozo level and having a lot of fun with it. Have a good day 😊

[@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

[@jjtanksxp9209]

Thank you for your videos, you made me believe again in the caro kann. I'll buy your course soon

[@alexmckinley79]

Super helpful, especially the last White rando opening. I see that a fair bit.

[@JOHNTUCHESSLOVE]

Thanks you ❤

[@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

[@jongler9775]

This video is pure madness. I love it.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@robandsharonseddon-smith5216]

Thanks!

[@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.

[@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

[@mharris1527]

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

[@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.

[@deanduplessis433]

This is your best Caro-Kann video so far.

[@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.

[@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

[@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 ^^

[@sonnycerbo1182]

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

[@toodddddd]

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

[@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

[@Fireshardes]

Hey Alex, do you plan on streaming over summer?

[@migorenga7630]

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

[@FloydMaxwell]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@ianw1285]

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

[@jaybingham3711]

Another great video. So other than the Advance, is the pinned Nf3 typically a take in any other variations? Now I understand it's not in Tartakower or Fantasy. Even though I may not have been playing those variations precisely, I've had solid success following your CK instructions (to my best ability). Appreciate it.

[@AlexBanzea]

In the exchange we also take sometimes, watch the videos because I really explained it!

[@handyman4everyman]

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

[@The_Memer6969]

Can you make a video focussing the middlegame tactics of the vienna gambit

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@hellopleychess3190]

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

[@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

[@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?)

[@davebrowne8042]

Will be buying it tomorrow!

[@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

[@ralphgreenwood2469]

That rent free apartment on g3 is rather cozy.

[@LOST1ALOT]

Wake up honey banzea posted another caro-kann banger

[@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.

[@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.

[@javiersaturno9689]

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

[@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.

[@joshm.6191]

New course for my birthday 🥳

[@TonyVuolo]

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

[@gezlaschoonraad193]

Your humor kills me

[@RandomPerson-ip5xk]

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

[@LeHaxerino]

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

[@jayeshagrawal4879]

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

[@neeru7298]

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

[@snortingnesquik3470]

You made the exchange not boring :D

[@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?

[@simonpenelle2574]

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

[@bakrob99]

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

[@wikiwing348]

White did watch your ambush e4 chessable course lol

[@stinkusthemouse]

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

[@choole1084]

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

[@ormarnarson4925]

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

[@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 😊

[@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

[@manustvshow]

Best place to learn abt the Caro

[@johnofsilence]

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

[@Heroball299]

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

[@Heroball299]

Actually he played g4 not g5. Lol!

[@joshash5944]

What about the Panov?

[@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!

[@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

[@ruslanbedoev9264]

hahah Gucci ... love it😁