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The Exchange Caro-Kann is a very passive way for white to fight for an advantage against 1…c6. With the exception of the Panov-Botvinnik Attack, which will be covered in a separate video, this variation lets black equalize straight out of the opening if he plays well.
Caro-Kann Defense – Exchange Variation, B13 – Chess Openings for Tournament Players
For the basics of the Caro-Kann Defense, an overview of the common variations and the basic plans for both colors check out this video:
The exchange variation often means the boring variation. Same as in the French Defense, when white goes for the central pawn exchange in the Caro-Kann, he has conceded most of his opening advantage. The only line for white which retains the opening edge is to play 4.c4, the Panov-Botvinnik, the normal exchange variation usually favors black slightly.
The position arises after:
1.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.exd5 cxd5 – this is the start of the Exchange Caro-Kann; from move four, white can choose from several different moves, with different ideas in the opening. The most common continuation is to play 4.Bd3, developing the bishop to the long diagonal, after which white will most likely play c3, castle short and develop the knight to f3. This, however, doesn’t give white anything out of the opening and black is equal.
After:
4.Bd3 Nc6
5.c3, black has several moves. The normal (passive way to develop) is 5…Nf6. The most active moves, and the way to punish white for not attacking in the opening is to play either 5…e5 or 5…g6. In both lines, black has excellent attacking prospects and can easily equalize.
All this being said, the Exchange Variation of the Caro-Kann defense is not bad for white. It just doesn’t give him an opening advantage. It’s equal, which no opening should be after move 4-5.
The Panov Attack will be covered separately, and that’s what will be the most common continuation on move 4 for white, but the exchange is a variation which every Caro-Kann player should know well, since it can often be a great chance to get an easy middle game position.
This is a game I played a few weeks ago in the Exchange Caro-Kann:
Watching this 6 years later When stjepan is saying Exchange caro kann is the most annoying And my weapon against the caro kann😅
3:17 .c3 Nf6 I was studying 5…Qc7!? because it performs best at my 1700 level, or because stockfish likes it. I totally prefer Nf6 and would chose it as my first piece move in any opening if possible. Looks like you won't be explaining Qc7 ideas. 1600-2000, 5…Nf6 is 50:44 favoring white in 1m games, but 5…Qc7 scores 44:50 favoring black in 112k games.
I just started studying the Scandinavian Kloosterboer Gambit 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 c6!? because I'm so sick and tired of the too passive Marshall Variation (2…Nf6). In studying theory, there are transpositions to the Caro Kann. I've always thought of it as a POSITIONAL (BLECH!) opening, so I'm trying to find TACTICAL theory for 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 c6 3.d4 and maybe get some insight into lines where the beyond weird looking …Qe7 is played and maybe some Ideas for knights on e7 which is super fugly in my gambit loving world. I'd RATHER be playing an …f5 based Rousseu/Luccini/Calabrese/Jaenisch-Schliemann etc. gambit repertoire, but there's just soooo much theory! The Kloosterboer is much simpler and I already have experience with 2.e5, 2.Nf3 and 2.d5 sidelines.
For g6 line you recommend if white plays h3 and Bf4 how does black will break with e5?
Yay 😀 more Caro-Kann
thank you so much, that was some good material❤
Great video my friend, thank you for helping, keep it up, you will grow faster with this channel.
Cool thumbnails for each video with equally cool content. Wish i had access to this 20 years ago- I could be much stronger now.
Do you use books or simply look out for best lines using a database? Great job by the way.
Nice analysis. Thanks
Thany you Stephane 🙂 Personnally I prefer the line with 4…Qc7 (after 3. Bd3 Nc6 4. c3) which, in my opinion is more solid. The main raison I see is to prevent Bf4 in order to be able to play Rb8 to start the minority attack in the Carlsbad pawn structure. Beside, I don't like the lines with …e5 which end with an IQP for black that I hate to have 🙂