I also now know that it is good in the sense that it defends from the trap that wins black's queen.It’s Saturday afternoon and teams pile into the Théâtre Luxembourg the room is alive with chatter, the gathered throng a mass of excited energy. One last question: How should I learn the openings? I started by watching GothamChess's videos, but there are many variations I can choose from, and he doesn't cover all of them. I guess I should try both and see which one I prefer, like Bizarrebra said. Someone says the caro is better, and then I am sure the caro is for me, and then someone else says the french has many outstanding tricks and I'm conflicted as to which I should choose When you say different theory, do you mean that there are completely different move orders that are in no way similar to the Caro Kann, or do you mean I have to learn different tactics that the french might need? Also, this is the exact reason I made this forum. I also now know that it is good in the sense that it defends from the trap that wins black's queen. The Caro-Kann has 3.Nc3, the Panov, the Advance, the Exchange, the Fantasy, and then sidelines like the KIA, Hillbilly Attack (2.Bc4?!), 2.c4, etc.ģ) In reality, neither is better for beginners. French has 3.Nc3 (which you do not have to know 'every' line - some play the Winawer, some play the Classical and Steinitz, some play the McCutchen and Steinitz, some play the Burn and Steinitz, and some play the Rubinstein or Fort Knox), 3.Nd2, 3.e5, 3.exd5, and then sidelines like the KIA, Wing Gambit, 2.b3, or 2.Qe2. This will change your perspective completely! Only time they suck is in an endgame against a good knight.Ģ) There is not MORE theory. You need to change your mentality because all 3 'excuses' are fallacies!ġ) Read The Secret Life of Bad Bishops. It's just a matter of deciding which kind of game you'd prefer. Short answer: you're fine choosing either path. Some players prefer the closed/counter-attacking positions that the French can offer, as Black's plan of action is clear and relatively defined.

Personally, I feel the Caro-Kann is more 'beginner-friendly', as it allows Black more space and piece activity, without as much complicated maneuvering. So the general tempi count, between the two openings, is often the same. They both have simple variations, and complicated/messy variations, so it's not really accurate to describe one as passive and one as aggressive, etc.Īlso, the Caro-Kann does not necessarily 'lose a tempo' compared to the French (moving the c-pawn twice, for example, with c6+c5), as the French player will eventually burn an extra tempo to develop his queen bishop in many lines (for example: b6+Bb7, b6+ba6, or Bd7+Bc6). I already know that the french is more aggressive, the caro is a bit more passive, the french does not lose a tempo, etc.Īll I want to know is which is better for black in general, which is better for beginners, which is easier to play, and which one puts pressure on white. Which is better? Which has less theory? Which has better win rates? 3) The Caro - Kann is supposedly better for beginners The things wavering me away from it are : 1) The fact that the light squared bishop is bad. Now that you have cleared most things up for me, I've realized, the french is more my style. I searched on google, but in the end it was just a bunch of forums where there was just fighting. Which one puts more pressure on White? The French. Which one is easier to play and better for beginners? The Caro-Kann. Let me know if you need more advice.ĮDIT: To answer your final questions, which one is better? Both are good. My advice is learn both because you'd be fully covered vs 1.e4 and will have two styles of playing. In terms of theory, I'd say the French is way heavier than the Caro-Kann, more lines to learn. If you want to play for a win since the beginning, play the French. If you don't wanna lose, use the Caro-Kann. It all comes down to the way you wanna play. The French is double edged and very sharp and the Caro-Kann is calmer and more solid. A Caro-Kann player would tell you the French has a problem with the c8 bishop and it's true, but the Caro-Kann also has a problem with the b8 knight. I play both, and both have pros and cons.

Justfocus french