Caro-Kann is one of the most popular opening against first move e4. Caro Kann defense can be used in must-win situations. This opening can be played by any player. There are many players who play Caro-Kann defense throughout their life. In the past 20 years, Caro-Kann become very popular. In Caro-Kann black gets many choices and plans to play. If you love to play positional chess, endgame then you should choose opening like Caro-Kann.  There are 3 most popular openings against Caro Kann which are Advance variation, Exchange variation, Classical variation. 

In this article we are going to see the 8 best chess courses to learn Caro-Kann defense. Before purchasing any course, please check whether it is recommended for white side or black side. I will suggest you should watch few videos on youtube on Caro-Kann before purchasing any course. If you like positions arriving from Caro-Kann then only purchase video courses. I will also attach free youtube videos which you can watch. 

Free videos on Caro Kann

Learn the Caro-Kann Defense | 10-Minute Chess Openings by GothamChess

Caro-Kann Defense (introduction, main variations & ideas)

Variations in caro kann defense

Advance Variation – Advance variation is a popular and very sharp opening to play against Caro Kann defense.  In this variation, the white’s main plan is to play 3.e5 and keep center control. This opening is very sharp and black should always be aware and prepared. Black can continue with 3… Bf5 and maintain equal position with proper moves.  

Exchange Variation – In exchange variation white takes blacks d5 pawn on 3rd move. This line is boring than other lines but still black gets decent play. White also tries to press black positionally. I think exchange variation is the safest option for white against Caro Kann.

Classical – In the classical opening, white plays 3. Nc3 and try to keep center control with knights. This opening involved lot of theory. Black mainly has 2 plans,  first is short Castle and second its long Castle. If Black do short Castle then white starts an attack on Kingside and black Stark attack on Queenside. In most cases, white get more resources to play and attack. In the second plan Black do long Castle and plays for equality.

Other variations – There are other variations which include third move f3 and two knight variation.  two Knights variation is becoming popular these days. In the two Knight variation whites main plan is to develop knights early and keep center control. If you are a beginner then I will recommend you to play two knight variation. It requires very little preparation and it’s tricky to play from black.

Why you should prepare Caro Kann from black side?

If you like to play positional chess or you want to go to the endgame then you should definitely play Caro Kann defense against e4. Caro Kann defense is not at sharp as a Sicilian defense but definitely has immense scope to beat your opponent. Caro Kann opening can be useful in must-win situation because at that point your opponent can try to get the full point and he can make mistakes

Top players who play caro kann opening

Caro Kann is played by almost all top players. Here are some of the top and famous players who played Caro Kann defense

  • Viswanathan Anand
  • Hikaru Nakamura
  • Vladislav Artemiev
  • Alireza Firouzja 
  • Aryan Tari
  • Levy Rozman
  • Ding Liren
  • José Raúl Capablanca
  • Vasily Smyslov
  • Anatoly Karpov
  • Raunak Sadhwani

8 best chess courses to learn caro kann defense

Lifetime Repertoires: Caro-Kann by GM Erwin L’Ami

caro kann defense

This course is created by GM Erwin L’Ami for the black side in 2020. Erwin L’Ami is a popular Dutch Grandmaster. He worked with many chess grandmasters such as Anish Giri and Vaseline Topalov. This video course explained everything about Caro Kann opening in detail. After finishing this course you will become confident to play a Caro Kann variation. This course will cost you $299.99. I will highly recommend you to watch this course if you are intermediate level or above. For beginners, You can purchase any low-priced course from the following list.

You can also try a free course on Caro Kann by Erwin L’Ami from this link – https://www.chessable.com/short-sweet-the-caro-kann/course/45388/

Beat the Caro-Kann: Two-Knights Variation

This course is designed for those who want to prepare against the Caro Kann opening. Two knights variation is becoming popular in the last few years. White’s main plan is to develop knights without moving pawns. This opening is suitable for positional players. The author has discovered dozens of novelties and Caro Kann for analyzed 100s of hours. In this course, you will get over 25,000 words of detailed instruction, 10 annotated model games, and 15 thematic tactical exercises.

The Fashionable Caro-Kann Vol.1 and 2 by Vidit Gujrathi

Vidit Gujrathi

Vidit Gujrathi is a super-elite chess Grandmaster from India. He used caro kann as his main reportier in various tournaments. In this video course he explained how Caro Kann can be fashionable and dynamic to play.  This video series is recommended to prepare from the black side. Vidit managed to win against top Grandmasters such as Vachier Lagrave, Radjabov Teimour, Jobava Baadur by playing caro-kann. 

The Complete Caro Kann by GM Sam Shankland

sam sankhland

This course is very good for beginners and intermediate players because you only have to purchase one membership and you are getting a lot of courses and other benefits from chess.com.  in this course, GM Sam Shankland Explained everything about Caro Kann defense. This course is recorded in 2012. That’s why I will not recommend it to players who want to prepare opening in deep.

Read more:- 

Beat the Caro-Kann, French, and Pirc

chess24

This course is prepared by Anish Giri’s wife IM Sopiko Guramishvili. In this video course, she explained how to beat caro kann, French, and pirc from the white side. Again, you will get this course under chess24 membership which will cost you $149.99 per year. This membership will gives access to various other features of chess24 such as train with masters, exclusive tournaments, etc.

Read more:- 

Attack Against Caro-Kann by GM Avetik Grigoryan

This course is created by Grandmaster Avetik from Armenia. He recommends playing the exchange variation against caro kann. He found that black get problems in exchange variation and that’s why He immediately took the decision to create a course. This course is priced at $120 but if you purchase a chessmood membership then you will get this course plus other benefits for $29 per month. 

Caro-Kann by IM GothamChess (Levy Rozman)

levy rozman

Gothamchess is one of the most popular chess streamer.  He is from the United States of America and he has more than 1 million subscribers on YouTube. Currently, he is International Master. In this course, he explained everything about Caro-Kann opening from black side. This course is priced at $59 and you can purchase it from here. Also, you can watch his best youtube videos. 

Play the Solid Caro-Kann Like a Grandmaster by GM Swapnil Dhopade

GM Swapnil Dhopade is from India and an extremely hard-working chess player. In this course, you will get 15 chapters and 47 variations. I will recommend this course for advance players. You will also get pdf and notes at the end of the chapter. This course is priced at $49 and is available on the modern chess website.

Which course you should purchase?

If you are a beginner then I will recommend you to watch free caro kann videos from youtube. This will give you an idea about structures and patterns in Caro Kann. If you want to purchase the course then initially go with sites like chess.com, chess24.com and chessmood.com because you also get access to other courses also. 

If you are an intermediate or advance player then you can go with any course. Before purchasing course please check variations covered in course, author, and pricing. 

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