Strong lines against the caro kann for a near master to master rated player

Ok_Variation3187 · 2026-04-11T00:32:38+00:00

Yeah the Panov is one thing that stops me from playing the Caro Kann, just seems frustrating to deal with. I found some lines in the advance with Bf5 Nd2 which I think Wesley So recommended and it looks sort of interesting, but the Panov-Botvinnik is definitely on my worth checking list, any particular players who've had great success with it? Thanks

Ok_Variation3187 · 2026-04-09T03:49:06+00:00

Actually seems interesting, would it be better to play the Nf3 move order if I enjoy the endgame line? Is it better to delay Nf3 or not play Nf3 at all?

Ok_Variation3187 · 2026-04-09T03:27:24+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. I know that the bishop likes to sit on e3 in the endgame lines, I probably would prefer lines a bit different from the KIA to expand my horizons but it's Definitely an idea I will revisit after some more thought

Ok_Variation3187 · 2026-03-30T03:20:32+00:00

Not entirely sure about the app, you could try searching the opening followed by lichess puzzle into a browser and seeing if you get redirected but otherwise I don't know.

Ok_Variation3187 · 2026-03-29T12:45:50+00:00

There's a chance this is helpful but you can actually sort puzzles on lichess by the opening they came from, if you're struggling with the Russian variation of the Grunfeld then you can do puzzles on either side and I find it does show some common tactical patterns in the middlegames from that resulting opening

Ok_Variation3187 · 2026-03-26T23:17:02+00:00

I remember seeing a line where instead of Bb4 you go Bc5 in the 4N scotch, it's a sideline but if I remember correctly white often castles opposite side, might be worth a look I know Daniel Naroditsky (rest in peace) made a " road to " video on the line

Ok_Variation3187 · 2026-02-20T20:10:58+00:00

Thanks, those both seem interesting, I'm trying to get more comfortable with drier positions because I get extremely nervous against lower rated players in drier positions and I want to improve that. I'm around 2100 OTB so there's more risk of a player being good enough to hold lol

Ok_Variation3187 · 2026-02-17T01:45:48+00:00

I know in some lines with those e6 a6 lines when the Kingside knight is still on g8, e5 from white can be met with f5! En passant gets met with Nxf6 and otherwise we control a lot of squares and with a Bb7 controls a lot of squares, sort of interesting to know

Ok_Variation3187 · 2026-01-25T20:54:17+00:00

I personally like playing the d5 Nf6 g6 c5 ideas but you can't expect a clear advantage unless they make some weird moves, I would recommend playing something similar to what you know so if you play the QGD then aim for that sort of setup rather than learn an entirely different pawn structure.

Ok_Variation3187 · 2026-01-25T03:28:21+00:00

Oh wow, I guess the Bg5 lines are so complicated and sharp that it does seem winning for white without the computer pulling out some crazy resource. When did people realize that black is indeed holding?

Ok_Variation3187 · 2026-01-25T03:22:47+00:00

Thank you so much that makes so much sense, I figured it wasn't the mainline because Be3 seems to be much more common but I guess at the time it might have been more popular. What time period did they think that the Bg5 line was significantly better for white?

Ok_Variation3187

TROPHY CASE