Play the Caro-Kann - Part 2 (7.5 Hours Running Time) 

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Play the Caro-Kann - Part 2

1) The arising positions do not require so much concrete knowledge

2) This line fits very well into the spirit of my suggestion against the Classical System from the previous camp (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6) The main position of this lecture is being reached after the moves 5.Qe2 Nxe4 6.Qxe4 Be6

I like this rare system quite a lot. Before going for ...Nd7-f6, Black puts  his light-squared bishop on the important diagonal a2-g8, thus preventing Bc4. Additionally, we prevent d2-d4 which will be answered with ...Bd5 followed by ...Bxf3. Later on, Black will proceed with ...Nd7-f6 followed either by ...Bf5 or ...Bg4,  and ...e7-e6. In most of the cases, we will get a structure that is quite  thematic for Caro-Kann and Scandinavian. The model games will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the must-know strategic and tactical ideas. In this particular line, the knowledge of concrete theory is less significant.

SAMPLE MODEL GAME

1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.d3 - Practical Repertoire for Black

This lecture deals with the extremely fashionable 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.d3

This seemingly harmless system is a hard nut to crack. It's not a surprise that this line was tested by many top-level players. The main strategic  justification of this setup is that White enjoys pleasant risk-free play in the symmetrical endgame arising after the exchange of the queens. The move 3...  Bg4 is well met by 4.h3, trying to get the bishop pair. Additionally, White keeps the option of playing e4-e5. This advance is especially effective  against the system with 3...g6. My choice for Black is 3...Qc7. 

This little queen  move prepares a transition into a favourable symmetrical structure by means of  ...dxe4 followed by ...e7-e5. This structure is quite favourable for Black in the long-term. In order to fight for an advantage, White should handle it very energetically. At this point, White has two main directions - 4.Nc3 and 4.exd5, followed by c2-c4. In this lecture, you will find an in-depth analysis of  these two moves. At the end of the lecture, you shall take a look at model games that explain how to handle the symmetrical structure when White plays passively.

SAMPLE MODEL GAME

Repertoire against the Exchange Variation

This lecture features the Exchange Variation arising after 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5

This is one of the most positionally sound systems against the Caro-Kann Defence. We have a Carlsbad structure with colours reversed. In  order not to find ourselves in a position without counterplay, we need a very good strategic understanding. My main line goes 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4

This is the simplest  and most practical approach. Before playing ...e7-e6, Black gets the bishop out of the pawn chain. As you will see in the comments to the model games, in this line, positional understanding is way more important than concrete theoretical knowledge. After studying the examples, you will be ready to outplay your opponents, even in seemingly equal positions.

SAMPLE MODEL GAME

Ambitious Repertoire against the Panov Attack

The starting position of the Panov Attack is being reached after 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4

This line is quite annoying for many Caro-Kann Defence players. The main source of worry is not that White has an objective  advantage. Black's main problem is that it's quite difficult to get a playable  position in which White cannot force a draw. I have decided to suggest the  variation 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 g6

In my opinion, this is a very practical choice  against the Panov Attack. In this line, before doing anything else, Black will complete the kingside development. Therefore, almost always, our next two  moves are going to be ...Bg7 and ...0-0. One of the main advantages of our  variation is that we are always playing with a safe king. If we manage to  neutralize White's temporary initiative, our g7-bishop is excellently placed  in all IQP positions that arise from the Panov Attack. At the end of the  lecture, you will find an analysis dedicated to the move order 1.e4 c6 2.c4, which can also transpose to the Panov Attack. White, however, has some  independent options that are explained as well.

SAMPLE MODEL GAME

Fantasy Variation and Sidelines - Complete Repertoire for Black

The final lecture features the Fantasy Variation and all the other sidelines  that White can try on moves 2 and 3. Besides providing in-depth analysis of  the Fantasy Variation, I have also paid serious attention to the system 1.e4  c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ne5 which is a very serious option. In all the  variations, I have tried to suggest easy-to-learn systems that are mainly based on strategic ideas. When I provide long variations, I mainly do it for illustration purposes. In most cases, you are not obliged to memorize them.

SAMPLE MODEL GAME