Caro-Kann Main Line in depth ⎸Chess Openings

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The Main Line of the Caro-Kann is one of black’s strongest weapons against 1.e4. With correct play black can comfortably equalize and have great attacking prospects.

For the basics of the Caro-Kann, opening ideas, principles and main variations, watch this video: youtu.be/Jiz7KLKjLas

For an alternative to the Main Line learn these variations:

Fantasy Variation: youtu.be/0yMkAJ6Pyig
Advance Variation: youtu.be/m9uHKJ1WgbM
Exchange Variation: youtu.be/SMIhNIXoMNk
Panov-Botvinnik Attack: youtu.be/hWLTjQ8LMeE
Karpov Variation: youtu.be/YLEmufSFoGk
Korchnoi Variation: youtu.be/-_6qOZIlbE0
Bronstein-Larsen Variation: youtu.be/FRJexVkZXrg
Two Knights Variation: youtu.be/S5OjT1K_s58

The Main Line (or the Classical) Caro-Kann is by far the most commonly played variation after 1.e4 c6. It’s theory heavy, meaning that both sides could get in a lot of trouble if they are unfamiliar with it, but that also means that both sides have great attacking prospects and that most games will be exciting and double edged (unlike what non-Caro-Kann players think). I have covered all the opening traps after black plays Bf5, as well as all the sidelines white might venture into.

The Main Line Caro-Kann Defense occurs after the moves:

1.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 dxe4
4.Nxe4 Bf5 – Black is developing the bishop seemingly with tempo on the knight, but after:
5.Ng3 black is forced to lose a tempo himself to retreat the bishop back with:
5…Bg6
The normal continuation which you will see in the vast majority of games is:
6.h4 h6
7.Nf3 Nd7
8.h5 Bh7
9.Bd3 Bxd3
10.Qxd3

However, white can deviate on move 6. The most common sidelines to h4 are:

6.Nh3 (Flohr Variation)
6.Nf3
6.Bc4
6.N1e2