The Modern Caro-Kann Part 3: Black's Plan Against White's Quieter Systems
There is a paradox every Caro-Kann player knows. The Classical and the Advance are the most critical tests, yet many games never reach them.
White plays 2.Nf3, 2.d3, 2.d4 with 3.f3, or the Two Knights, and the theoretical battle you prepared for disappears. These lines are less critical on paper, but they show up all the time in practice.
The Modern Caro-Kann: A Complete Repertoire for Black – Part 3 is built on a clear goal. Black should not simply survive these sidelines. Black should be happy to see them.
...Bg4, ...Bxf3 and the ...d4 Surprise
The core of the course is the Two Knights Variation, 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3. Here the authors choose the simplest solution: 3...Bg4, developing the light-squared bishop at once.
After 4.h3, Black takes on f3 without hesitation. Giving up the bishop for the knight to take over the centre is one of the Key Things to Know of the whole repertoire.
Then comes the surprise. After 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be2, Black plays the controversial 6...d4!?. Gumularz has his own idea behind it, and the course explains exactly when the push works and when it does not.
The Authors and Their Approach
GM Szymon Gumularz and FM Sebastian Reimann continue the line of thinking from the first two volumes: Black keeps winning chances even when White avoids a fight.
This is clearest against the quiet setups. Against 3.d3, which invites an early queen trade and a dry endgame, Gumularz declines with 3...g6!?. The bishop on g7 supports ...e5, and the fianchetto, which he calls his comfort zone with Black, returns against the Fantasy Variation too.
Against the King's Indian Attack, Black answers in the most active way with ...e5 and ...Bd6. Chapter 4 adds the ambitious novelty ...Bc7!?, which anticipates d4 and takes the initiative.
Map of Variations
1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 Bg4 (Two Knights Variation)
- 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be2, 6.d3, 6.d4 → Chapter 7
- 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.g3, 6.a3 → Chapter 8
- 4.h3 Bxf3 5.gxf3 d4! (with ...e6, not ...e5) → Chapter 9
- 4.d4 (...e6 before ...Nf6) → Chapter 6
1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.d3 g6!?
- 4.exd5 / 4.Nbd2 → Chapter 1
- 4.e5 c5 → Chapter 2
1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nh4 → Chapter 3
1.e4 c6 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 e5 → Chapter 4
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 g6!? (Fantasy Variation) → Chapter 5
Rare sidelines → Chapter 10
- 1.e4 c6 2.b3 and other rare 2nd moves
- 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Qf3 and other independent 3rd moves
Course Features
- 10 theory chapters
- Video instruction throughout
- 30 test positions: critical moments with tactical and strategic solutions
- 5 training positions for interactive practice against the engine
- 3 model games showing the ideas in high-level play, including Harikrishna – Fedoseev and Madaminov – Erdogmus
- 5 key things to know: the typical patterns and concepts of the repertoire
- Memory File: the 10 chapters condensed into one, holding the most important lines
- Memory Booster for long-term recall of the key ideas
- To-Go Version of every chapter: condensed files for fast pre-game review
- Multilingual PGN files in English, German, French and Spanish
Connected Courses
Part 3 continues the same authors' series. The Modern Caro-Kann: A Complete Repertoire for Black – Part 1 covers the Classical Variation.
The Modern Caro-Kann: A Complete Repertoire for Black – Part 2 handles the Advance with the ambitious 7...c4!? in the Short System.
Part 3 adds the lines White chooses to avoid both. The 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exchange line, together with the Panov, are reserved for a later volume.
Make the Sidelines Your Territory
The next time your opponent plays 2.Nf3, 2.d3 or the Fantasy, you will know the plan, the structure and the right moment for each break.
Get The Modern Caro-Kann: A Complete Repertoire for Black – Part 3 and turn White's attempts to avoid theory into positions you look forward to.