Answers.Body: <p>In the Caro-Kann white has a ton of choices. It depends on your style to choose what is best for you. Usually white tries to expand and get as much space as possible. That gives him attacking chances in the middlegame, but a worse pawn structure at the ending.</p>
  
  <p>In the advance variation white may choose classical attacking ideas with c3 or 4. Nc3 with a tactical madness. </p>
  
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Answers.CreationDate: 2014-03-28T22:42:46.827Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-03-28T23:35:17.633Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2014-03-28T23:35:17.633Z
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Answers.Body: <blockquote>
    <p>Most of the writing I've found on the Caro-Kann online simply makes
    vague assertions about how "Black's endgame is better" or how White
    should try [some dubious move or other] to get a good attack in club
    play.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>That is not entirely true. This is the case when White overextends himself <strong>without any compensation</strong> which occurs only if he <strong>misplayed the position.</strong> In normal case both sides have good chances in an endgame.</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Is that all there is to this opening? </p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>Definitely not! </p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>I've been trying it out, and I
    find myself unsure of how to proceed in the midgame, on either side of
    the table. </p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>Caro-Kann has lots of <strong>typical middlegame positions</strong> that require creative thinking and good positional play <strong>from both sides</strong> in order to <strong>reach decent endgame.</strong> </p>
  
  <p>Not knowing them "makes your life unbearable" and you will most of the time find your opponent crushing you seemingly effortlessly. Therefore you must learn typical middlegame plans for both sides. Only then, you can start thinking about endgame. And for the record, the endgame holds chances for both sides. Yes, White often overextends with pawns <strong>but gets active pieces, especially king, in return</strong> which compensates and sometimes matters more than a healthy pawn structure. </p>
  
  <p>If you need help with these post a new question and notify me via comment. I will try to help.</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>As Black, should I really just try to trade down to an
    endgame immediately? </p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>No! Just trading down will not help. <strong>Who can guarantee that your opponent will accept the trade?</strong> </p>
  
  <p>Against such policy I deploy a neat trick:</p>
  
  <p>As soon as I notice that my opponent starts to offer exchanges too often I lure him into a won endgame for me. <strong>In a nutshell</strong>, the point is to accept the exchanges <strong>that are favorable for you <em>as much as you can</em></strong> so <strong>he thinks</strong> that this will turn into an easy draw. Once he offers bad piece for your good one you <strong>just decline the exchange</strong> and now you are left with a better piece against worse one which results in an easy win. </p>
  
  <p>This is a standard approach strong players use. Chess would be a poor game if equality could be reached by simply exchanging. </p>
  
  <p>As Black, your main goals are to exchange <strong>2 minor pieces</strong> and <strong>neutralize opponent's space advantage</strong> by performing <code>c5</code> or <code>e5</code> break. Those are the exchanges you seek in order to cripple White's attacking potential. <strong>Prefer to exchange bishops for bishops and try to leave the knights on.</strong> After that you need to evaluate when is suitable for you to enter endgame and when you can stay in the middlegame and start attacking opponent's weaknesses.</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>As White, have I no alternative but to try
    something speculative to keep Black from getting to his desired ending
    position?</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>As White, you <strong>can steer the game to a better endgame for you</strong> as most strong players do. </p>
  
  <p>It is highly unlikely that your attack will end with a mate <strong>against skillful defense</strong> but if you <strong>maintain pressure</strong> you can transpose into endgame where your pieces <strong>are more active</strong> which should give you a small but lasting advantage. Also, in most lines White has <strong>3 vs 2 queenside pawn majority</strong> which ensures <strong>better pawn endgame</strong> for him. Active pieces coupled with this pawn majority usually win the game as Black needs high technique and precise play in order to hold this type of endgame. The benefit of this approach is that White <strong>can not lose</strong> the game, but Black usually draws with correct play.</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>I see the Advance Variation (2.d4 d5 3.e5) most often, so let's
    restrict the conversation to positions arising from that line.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>This variation sums up my previous statements very well. </p>
  
  <p>First off, middlegames can be <strong>ultra sharp</strong> if White chooses <em>Nunn-Shirov attack</em> and "the last man standing" will have a won endgame most of the time. In this line tactical awareness and combinational skill are important. <strong>This is the line your resources referred to.</strong> If Black defends successfully the endgame is usually won for him. However, White can create such a strong pressure and choose to <strong>enter a better endgame.</strong> </p>
  
  <p>Endgames where activity count the most involve rook and knight endgames. Especially in knight endgames space advantage is important.</p>
  
  <p>Second, it can also become positional encounter if White chooses <em>Short line</em> and simply try to maneuver "around <code>Bf5</code>" in which case a complex struggle awaits both of you. Creativity and positional skill is important in that line. <strong>Both sides need to be carefull when entering endgame.</strong></p>
  
  <p>Since this topic is to broad to be covered here, I will provide <strong>brief explanations</strong> and recommend resources for studying at the very end of my post.</p>
  
  <h2>NUN-SHIROV ATTACK</h2>
  
  <p>White has 2 plans here:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li><p>Playing <code>Nf4</code> at some point, planning a sacrifice on <code>d5</code>. The usual setup is <code>O-O-O</code> + <code>Qe2</code> + <code>Bg2</code>.</p></li>
  <li><p>White plays <code>Nd4</code> preparing <code>f4</code> and <code>f5</code>. This one is considered more dangerous than the above plan.</p></li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>Both lines lead to very sharp struggle and one mistake on any side can lose the game.</p>
  
  <h2>SHORT LINE</h2>
  
  <p>One of the most dangerous tries for White. He simply plays naturally, organizing his pieces <strong>to exploit <code>c5</code> break.</strong> If Black plays too slow he will be suffocated, yet if he opens the game White will have an advantage since he is better positioned and better developed. Still, Black players were able to find a way to reach full equality by preparing <code>f6</code> instead of <code>c5</code>.</p>
  
  <hr>
  
  <h2>CONCLUSION:</h2>
  
  <p>Caro-Kann defense is a passive opening for Black that requires <strong>patient play in order to equalize.</strong> Black reaches full equality <strong>over time.</strong> White needs to do something with his greater space and aggressive pieces if wishes to win. He can opt for ultra sharp lines or play positionally, aiming for favorable endgame or simply smothering Black.</p>
  
  <p>This is a vast topic to cover here but these books helped me when I needed to learn to play the Black side:</p>
  
  <p><em>Joe Gallagher-Starting Out the Caro-Kann</em></p>
  
  <p><em>Peter Wells-Grandmaster Secrets the Caro-Kann</em></p>
  
  <p><em>Cyrus Lakdawala-The Caro-Kann move by move</em></p>
  
  <p><em>Lars Schandorff-Grandmaster Repertoire 7 Caro-Kann</em></p>
  
  <p>Start with Gallagher's book and then try one written by Lakdawala. Once you get some experience playing this opening with both colors you can read the rest.</p>
  
  <p>Hopefully this helps. Leave a comment if you have a question or need further help.</p>
  
  <p>Best regards and good luck.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-04-20T17:43:44.203Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-07-23T11:41:29.457Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2014-07-23T11:41:29.457Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: AlwaysLearningNewStuff
Body: <p>Most of the writing I've found on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caro%E2%80%93Kann_Defence" rel="noreferrer">Caro-Kann</a> online simply makes vague assertions about how "Black's endgame is better" or how White should try [some dubious move or other] to get a good attack in club play.</p>
  
  <p>Is that all there is to this opening? I've been trying it out, and I find myself unsure of <strong>how to proceed in the midgame</strong>, on either side of the table. As Black, should I really just try to trade down to an endgame immediately? As White, have I no alternative but to try something speculative to keep Black from getting to his desired ending position?</p>
  
  <p>I see the Advance Variation (<code>2.d4 d5 3.e5</code>) most often, so let's restrict the conversation to positions arising from that line.</p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN "rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3pP3/3P4/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 3"]
  </code></pre>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2014-07-23T11:43:50.460Z
Comments.Text: Your question is concise and clearly stated, yet you have not received the answer you seek. I have tried to help, but it seems I have failed. Is there anything else I can add to my original answer so you can get your problem solved?
Comments.UserDisplayName: AlwaysLearningNewStuff
Tags: <opening><learning><strategy><middlegame><caro-kann>
Title: Midgame Ideas in the Caro-Kann
ThreadText: # Midgame Ideas in the Caro-Kann
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2014-03-26)
  
  Most of the writing I've found on the Caro-Kann online simply makes vague assertions about how "Black's endgame is better" or how White should try [some dubious move or other] to get a good attack in club play.
  Is that all there is to this opening? I've been trying it out, and I find myself unsure of how to proceed in the midgame, on either side of the table. As Black, should I really just try to trade down to an endgame immediately? As White, have I no alternative but to try something speculative to keep Black from getting to his desired ending position?
  I see the Advance Variation (2.d4 d5 3.e5) most often, so let's restrict the conversation to positions arising from that line.
  [FEN "rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3pP3/3P4/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 3"]
  
  **Tags:** opening, learning, strategy, middlegame, caro-kann
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: Your question is concise and clearly stated, yet you have not received the answer you seek. I have tried to help, but it seems I have failed. Is there anything else I can add to my original answer so you can get your problem solved?  
  
  ---
  
  ## 2 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2014-04-20. Score: 5 | Accepted answer
  
  > Most of the writing I've found on the Caro-Kann online simply makes
  > vague assertions about how "Black's endgame is better" or how White
  > should try [some dubious move or other] to get a good attack in club
  > play.
  
  That is not entirely true. This is the case when White overextends himself **without any compensation** which occurs only if he **misplayed the position.** In normal case both sides have good chances in an endgame.
  
  > Is that all there is to this opening?
  
  Definitely not!
  
  > I've been trying it out, and I
  > find myself unsure of how to proceed in the midgame, on either side of
  > the table.
  
  Caro-Kann has lots of **typical middlegame positions** that require creative thinking and good positional play **from both sides** in order to **reach decent endgame.**
  
  Not knowing them "makes your life unbearable" and you will most of the time find your opponent crushing you seemingly effortlessly. Therefore you must learn typical middlegame plans for both sides. Only then, you can start thinking about endgame. And for the record, the endgame holds chances for both sides. Yes, White often overextends with pawns **but gets active pieces, especially king, in return** which compensates and sometimes matters more than a healthy pawn structure.
  
  If you need help with these post a new question and notify me via comment. I will try to help.
  
  > As Black, should I really just try to trade down to an
  > endgame immediately?
  
  No! Just trading down will not help. **Who can guarantee that your opponent will accept the trade?**
  
  Against such policy I deploy a neat trick:
  
  As soon as I notice that my opponent starts to offer exchanges too often I lure him into a won endgame for me. **In a nutshell**, the point is to accept the exchanges **that are favorable for you *as much as you can*** so **he thinks** that this will turn into an easy draw. Once he offers bad piece for your good one you **just decline the exchange** and now you are left with a better piece against worse one which results in an easy win.
  
  This is a standard approach strong players use. Chess would be a poor game if equality could be reached by simply exchanging.
  
  As Black, your main goals are to exchange **2 minor pieces** and **neutralize opponent's space advantage** by performing `c5` or `e5` break. Those are the exchanges you seek in order to cripple White's attacking potential. **Prefer to exchange bishops for bishops and try to leave the knights on.** After that you need to evaluate when is suitable for you to enter endgame and when you can stay in the middlegame and start attacking opponent's weaknesses.
  
  > As White, have I no alternative but to try
  > something speculative to keep Black from getting to his desired ending
  > position?
  
  As White, you **can steer the game to a better endgame for you** as most strong players do.
  
  It is highly unlikely that your attack will end with a mate **against skillful defense** but if you **maintain pressure** you can transpose into endgame where your pieces **are more active** which should give you a small but lasting advantage. Also, in most lines White has **3 vs 2 queenside pawn majority** which ensures **better pawn endgame** for him. Active pieces coupled with this pawn majority usually win the game as Black needs high technique and precise play in order to hold this type of endgame. The benefit of this approach is that White **can not lose** the game, but Black usually draws with correct play.
  
  > I see the Advance Variation (2.d4 d5 3.e5) most often, so let's
  > restrict the conversation to positions arising from that line.
  
  This variation sums up my previous statements very well.
  
  First off, middlegames can be **ultra sharp** if White chooses *Nunn-Shirov attack* and "the last man standing" will have a won endgame most of the time. In this line tactical awareness and combinational skill are important. **This is the line your resources referred to.** If Black defends successfully the endgame is usually won for him. However, White can create such a strong pressure and choose to **enter a better endgame.**
  
  Endgames where activity count the most involve rook and knight endgames. Especially in knight endgames space advantage is important.
  
  Second, it can also become positional encounter if White chooses *Short line* and simply try to maneuver "around `Bf5`" in which case a complex struggle awaits both of you. Creativity and positional skill is important in that line. **Both sides need to be carefull when entering endgame.**
  
  Since this topic is to broad to be covered here, I will provide **brief explanations** and recommend resources for studying at the very end of my post.
  
  ## NUN-SHIROV ATTACK
  
  White has 2 plans here:
  
  1. Playing `Nf4` at some point, planning a sacrifice on `d5`. The usual setup is `O-O-O` + `Qe2` + `Bg2`.
  2. White plays `Nd4` preparing `f4` and `f5`. This one is considered more dangerous than the above plan.
  
  Both lines lead to very sharp struggle and one mistake on any side can lose the game.
  
  ## SHORT LINE
  
  One of the most dangerous tries for White. He simply plays naturally, organizing his pieces **to exploit `c5` break.** If Black plays too slow he will be suffocated, yet if he opens the game White will have an advantage since he is better positioned and better developed. Still, Black players were able to find a way to reach full equality by preparing `f6` instead of `c5`.
  
  ---
  
  ## CONCLUSION:
  
  Caro-Kann defense is a passive opening for Black that requires **patient play in order to equalize.** Black reaches full equality **over time.** White needs to do something with his greater space and aggressive pieces if wishes to win. He can opt for ultra sharp lines or play positionally, aiming for favorable endgame or simply smothering Black.
  
  This is a vast topic to cover here but these books helped me when I needed to learn to play the Black side:
  
  *Joe Gallagher-Starting Out the Caro-Kann*
  
  *Peter Wells-Grandmaster Secrets the Caro-Kann*
  
  *Cyrus Lakdawala-The Caro-Kann move by move*
  
  *Lars Schandorff-Grandmaster Repertoire 7 Caro-Kann*
  
  Start with Gallagher's book and then try one written by Lakdawala. Once you get some experience playing this opening with both colors you can read the rest.
  
  Hopefully this helps. Leave a comment if you have a question or need further help.
  
  Best regards and good luck.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2014-03-28. Score: 2
  
  In the Caro-Kann white has a ton of choices. It depends on your style to choose what is best for you. Usually white tries to expand and get as much space as possible. That gives him attacking chances in the middlegame, but a worse pawn structure at the ending.
  
  In the advance variation white may choose classical attacking ideas with c3 or 4. Nc3 with a tactical madness.
  
  
  ---
  
  