The White Side of Caro-Kann

Disclaimer: The Ordeals of a Club Player series is aimed at club players in the 1500-1700 ELO range. If you are above or below that range, the advice and recommendations given may not be useful for you.

Caro-Kann Main Lines for White

As we saw in the previous post, Caro-Kann players must be prepared for all sorts of deviations, starting at move two. However, White players need not have to worry about early Black sidelines - by playing c6, Black declares their dedication to the Caro-Kann.

This is a good example of the difference between playing an opening and playing against an opening. When you play an opening, you control the direction of the game. Your opponent must either follow suit, transpose into something else, or deviate into the wild. This might sound like a big advantage, but as we shall see, it's not necessarily so.

Black has got what they wanted, but now White takes control of where the game is going. White has five major lines to choose from:

• 3.Nc3, the Classical Variation, used to be top move, but is now overtaken by 3.e5. It's still a good move.
• 3.Nd2 is played to discourage the Gurgenidze Variation (3.Nc3 g6), intending to meet g6 with c3. It transposes into the Classical after 3...dxe4 4.Nxe4.
• 3.e5, the Advance Variation, is the most popular choice at all levels, but particularly amongst club players. This is probably what your opponent is expecting, and has prepared for.
• 3.exd5, the Exchange Variation, is not as innocent as it seems. After 3...cxd5, White can play the main line 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3, or the Panov–Botvinnik Attack starting with 4.c4.
• 3.f3, the Fantasy Variation, can lead to sharp play. 3...e6 is the main line, but you must be prepared for 3...Qb6.

So, which line to choose? As always, it's a matter of taste and style. Pick the line you're most comfortable with.
However, if you're looking for something else against the Caro-Kann, there are some 2nd move alternatives:

• 2.c4, the Accelerated Panov Attack, often leads to an isolated d-pawn. If you're comfortable with that, it's worth a try.
• 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ne5, the Apocalypse Attack, is a rare but perfectly good line that may take opponents with surprise.

This is the starting point of the Apocalypse Attack. Black will usually play Nc6 of Nf6 here, but an unaware player can easily go wrong. After 4...Bf5 5.Bb5+ Bd7 (Nd7 6.Qf3 and White is already winning) 6.Qh5 g6 7.Nxd7 Nxd7 8.Qxd5, White is a pawn up, and has a strong initiative.

This article was previously published on my blog The Ordeals of a Club Player.