Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Botvinnik-Carls Defense | Caro-Kann Defense Theory!

Today we look at the Caro-Kann Defense, one of the best chess openings for black against e4. In fact, the Caro-Kann Defense is one of the strongest chess openings in all of chess. The chess opening strategy, chess opening theory, chess opening lines, chess opening moves, and chess opening ideas are unparalleled in many respects. Today, we look at the Caro-Kann Defense Advance Variation, specifically the Botvinnik-Carls Defense. The Botvinnik-Carls Defense is a strong chess opening line for Caro-Kann Defense players to consider. (Many of my chess students play it with good success! Not to mention the worldwide online database!) We hope you enjoy the Caro-Kann Defense theory, Caro-Kann Defense strategy, Caro-Kann Defense lines, Caro-Kann Defense variations, Caro-Kann Defense ideas, Caro-Kann Defense principles, Caro-Kann Defense advice, and Caro-Kann Defense lessons. Keep playing the Caro-Kann Defense, keep playing chess, and keep pushing!
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[@sbrynjelsen]

I have played this opening as black for over a year. Very effective approach and great video explanation.

[@TheChessGiant]

That's awesome! I am a big fan of this. Thanks for the kind words and wishing you a great finish to your week.

[@alancoe1002]

I am a big fan of the Caro and of the Scandi 3.....Qd8 variation. Getting a better understanding of both, thanks to you. Saragossa as white is just more Caro practice with an extra move. Thanks again, Solomon.

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Alan! Hope you've been well man, great hearing from you. And ya Qd8 is a classic option for black! Awesome chess that comes out of that. And yep I'm a big fan of the Saragossa - we either get a London System or Caro-Kann plus a move. Doesn't sound like a "bad opening" to me. Chess on.

[@tenderloins_]

Love your opening videos. Keep up the great work!

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks! I appreciate the encouragement and I'm glad you've been enjoying them. More on the way!

[@HongwareeChannel]

Just passing by to thank you for the Center Game Video. It works plenty. Big hug, Solomon!

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you my friend! Glad you liked it. The Center Game is very underrated and underplayed. I can't even remember the last time (if ever lol) someone played it against me.

[@LilaJade19]

When I first got into chess, my brother played the advance. He would put so much pressure on me that I would crumble. I wanted to beat him so bad because he would rub it in my face. I was so glad to find the Caro-Kann system.

[@Scar1etSpid3r]

Excellent overview at the beginning! Theory starts at 5:24

[@skyeruddell3196]

Haha, did you even win game with it, I love your honesty 😂

[@TheChessGiant]

Ya it was a rough period lol. And you were there 😂😂🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@csmuehlenberg]

Great opening. I like rhat c5 move a lot.

[@TheChessGiant]

Truly does put the pressure on white!

[@yamix.brands]

Awesome video

[@GeneralBlorp]

In the dxc5 line, If he pins the Knight right away on c6 with Bb5, then he does not need to play Nf3, and your Bishop never gets to g4 🤔 not sure how much that matters or not but it does change things a bit

[@TheChessGiant]

Hmm this is a good point! I'll have to think on this more... maybe at some point we play Bf5?

[@GeneralBlorp]

@@TheChessGiantit seems worth trying altho the engine doesn’t seem to like it and most people respond to dxc5 with either e6 or Nc6. I’ll be honest this line is new to me as well so I’ll look forward to seeing any games you might play with this line if you want to do that in the future. The Butcher has some interesting lines that may or may not “refute” the c5 approach but I still think there may be value in catching an opponent off guard with this. Either way interesting content. 👍

[@Chesstastic5000]

The reason for the bf5 is to restrict protection of the white Queen side pawns,

[@shubhamkumarmajhi8943]

Can you please tell me what to do in this line i see many caro player struggle here the line is e4 c6 d4 d5 e5 c5 dxc5 Nc6 Bb4 e6 Be3 Ne7 Nf3 Nf5 Bd4 this is a very annoying line

[@captjuanco5766]

nice

[@TheChessGiant]

🙏🏽🤝

[@chessmonster8690]

What happens if White doesn't play Nf3 but pins your knight Bb5

[@RayT70]

I think Solomon is slipping. These are the best lines for white. 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. dxc5 e6 5. a3 Bxc5 6. b4 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. dxc5 Nc6 5. f4 e6 6. Be3 d4 7. Bf2 Bxc5 8. Nd2 Nge7 9. Qf3 Solomon buddy, please don't turn into one of those channels that push inferior lines and neglect the best moves for the opponent.

[@TheChessGiant]

In your first line, Stockfish doesn’t have a3 as the best move, I didn’t look at the second - and I cover what people play the most often. You can look online but I doubt 5. a3 is played hardly at all.

[@TheChessGiant]

I try and prep people for people and not for Stockfish

[@RayT70]

@TheChessGiant If you check the free online database 365 chess ... you tube will not allow me to post outside links ... you will see that 5. a3 is the most popular 1st choice. In the second line, it's well known among Caro-Kann experts that 5. f4 and 6. Be3 is the best way to play vs. Nc6. In practice white wins over half the games.

[@RayT70]

@TheChessGiant According to the free online chess database, you tube no longer allows the posting of outside links, 5. a3 is the 1st most popular choice. Against 5...Nc6 it is well known by Caro-Kann experts that 5. f4 and 6. Be3 gives white a better game. In practice white scores over 50% with it.

[@TheChessGiant]

Interesting, thanks for sharing. Is the free online chess databse professional games? Or all games ever played online from different sites?