The Caro Kann is known for its solidity, harmony, and passivity. Compared to the French (which strikes the center on move 3), in the Caro black has to both move the c-pawn twice and play Bf5. This makes the Caro Kann a full two tempi behind on the French. However, the Caro is tough to prove an advantage against, as Black has no bad pieces and a strong center.
I spent a long time looking for an antidote, and I think I have found one. I would like to suggest the best scoring line for white (41% wins - 39% draws - 21% losses).
- e4 c6
- Nf3 d5
- d3!?
How coud a symmetrical endgame score so well for white in master practice? One reason is that natural moves lead to a better position for white.
Table of Contents
5. Bg4?!
- … dxe4
- dxe4 Qxd1
- Kxd1 Bg4?!
The most popular move, and inaccurate. White would like to trade light squared bishops have the good bishop in the ending.
Let’s continue the line.
- Ne1! Bxe2
- Kxe2 e5
Black has a choice, but will eventually probably have to control the center with e5.
White’s position plays itself. White will play Nd3, Be3, a4, Nd2, c3, f3, and Nc4.
5. Nf6
- … dxe4
- dxe4 Qxd1
- Kxd1 Nf6
Black attacks the e4 pawn. Black probably intends to follow up with g6 or g5, not committing the e7 pawn.
- Nbd2
Defends e4 and develops a piece. Nfd2 is also possible, but it feels unnatural. If Nc3, I think the c3 knight is poorly placed, dominated by the c6 pawn.
- … g6
Black prepares to develop the bishop to g7. This is the best move, and given by L’Ami on chessable.
- Ne5 Nbd7
Black aims to trade white’s active knight. White could have played Ne1, the knight will end up on d3 regardless.
- Nd3 Ng4
Black will play Nge5 and trade a pair of knights. White has a 100% win rate in the 3 games played in the lichess master database after:
- a4 Nde5
- Nxe5 Nxe5
- Nc4 Bg7
- Nxe5 Bxe5
- Bc4
Black has a hard time developing the light squared bishop. Meanwhile white has natural squares for all his pieces, and can continue with c3, f3, Ke2, Be3, Rd1.