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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Between Caro and French...What would you choose? (Read 24813 times)
ghenghisclown
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Re: Between Caro and French...What would you choose?
Reply #8 - 04/17/09 at 03:03:10
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Maybe that wasn't a good translation. I recall Bareev visiting my club here in Southern California, and in a lecture described the French as not quite correct, or something like that. I think he said "not correct" but I know what he meant. Still, it's more imbalancing than the Caro. 

If given a choice, I'd stick to the Caro-Kann. I prefer reliability (and Vajajay).
  

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lnn2
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Re: Between Caro and French...What would you choose?
Reply #7 - 04/17/09 at 01:42:42
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I recall Bareev saying several years ago that he prefers the Caro Kann, which was a paradox because he was playing the French far more often at the time. 

Anyway I also like the Caro more, but I score better with the French! which left me in a dilemma for a few years...but I think I finally understood Bareev!

  
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cyronix
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Re: Between Caro and French...What would you choose?
Reply #6 - 04/16/09 at 20:16:22
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I'd chose the french, it is more clear than the caro, there is somehow always a clear way to equality, there are not many ways for white to get a kingside attack, and it is much easier to equalize for black than in other defences, tbh I think every french player would lose 200 ratingpoints if he'd play any other defence, they reach only their strength because of this defence.
But I'd play the french only as 2nd defence because of the exchange.
Also I do not like the mainline in the caro where white castles 0-0-0,
I just feel lost there as black. Though I have to admit I never played any of these defences otb, I only have some blitz experience (especially in the french).

The cool thing in the french is I only think about equalizing and I am satisfied with that, in the sicilian or the modern defence I am not satisfied reaching equality, I always think about winning.
  
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ghenghisclown
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Re: Between Caro and French...What would you choose?
Reply #5 - 04/16/09 at 06:45:13
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I choose Vajajay
  

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MNb
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Re: Between Caro and French...What would you choose?
Reply #4 - 04/16/09 at 03:22:37
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Let´s say that someones ask you to choose a vegetable to eat for the rest of your life for you. He is going to buy the vegetable, wash it, cook your diner every day but you only can choose cauliflower OR spinach. What would you choose and why? Wink
  

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TN
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Re: Between Caro and French...What would you choose?
Reply #3 - 04/15/09 at 20:42:50
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Definitely the French.

However, given the importance of versatility and flexibility in one's opening repertoire nowadays, I think that to become a GM you have to be able to play at least three defences to 1.e4/1.d4/1.c4/1.Nf3 and at least 2 first moves as White. 

There are GM's who have attained the Grandmaster title with a narrow repertoire, but most of these GM's attained the title before a broad repertoire became a crucial factor in tournaments (at the start of the 21st century). 

In terms of versatility and flexibility, the French is stronger than the Caro-Kann because Black has more options against each of White's main lines, and the nature of his position allows him to play for more than one plan in most cases (this also occurs in the C-K but to a much lesser extent).
  

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zoo
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Re: Between Caro and French...What would you choose?
Reply #2 - 04/15/09 at 18:05:09
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Both are totally suitable for your aim. You can check games by the late Karen Asrian for "fighting CK" at top GM level (+ Anand, Ermolinsky...), and similarly Cheparinov, Morozevich (+ countless others) for the French. It was even commonplace in Russia to play the French until you reach a decent level (~2400) and then start looking at the sicilian, this may help you for your plans. But if you have any ambitions, you should forget about "style" and "reputations", and take on concrete variations by the horns. In this respect, CK feels easier to discover by yourself, like Korchnoi with the English. The less you read in a book, the more you find on the board!  
More importantly : to reach 2400+ you have to be a fighter, no matter the openings.
  
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MilenPetrov
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Re: Between Caro and French...What would you choose?
Reply #1 - 04/15/09 at 18:02:41
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My personal preference is French. I have a lot of experience with it and I think that there Black has more chances to fight for a win than in Caro Kann. It is worth mentioning also that in French the one who determines the position type is Black but not White. Of course White has 3-4 major choices but after that Black is the one who rules the structure of the game.

Overal your question is something like: I want to give you some food and you have to choose between hot and cold water  Grin. I prefer hot one, because with some improvisation i can make a soup from it Wink
  
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Pingudon
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Hi chess friends!!

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Between Caro and French...What would you choose?
04/15/09 at 17:23:40
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Let´s say that someones ask you to choose a defensive system for the rest of your life for you to reach 2500. He is going to buy books, cd, pay your tournaments but you only can choose French OR Caro. What would you choose and why? Wink
  
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