Willempie wrote on 07/28/12 at 21:36:43:


Well if we put in this way, Dragon has many more forced draws than Caro Kann so I think Dragon is better as a drawing weapon

Well there are lot of popular options for white. I have played the gone but not forgotten Bogo Indian against much higher rated players and got easy draws and won and lost against against oponents with about my rating and the Bogo is playable against both g3 and Nf3. If a3 instead of g3 and Nf3 black can simply play c5 when the game either becomes a strange sicilian or a gives black a favorable Modern Benoni since white usually plays a4 to stop b5. But it is true that Trompovsky, Veresov, Colle and London system is pretty common white tries. 

I have also a new Chess hero in Karpov, I have learned how to play open Sicilian as white in Karpov style. I also have good experience in the Ruy Lopez a6 d3 systems instead of Kings Gambit and later Vienna and Scotch that I played before. I know that Karpov used to play Ruy Lopez main liens instead of d3 but theory has moved on. 

If Caro Kann move by move had recommended Bf5 after 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 I would never have considered Caro Kann since I rather play white in that line while I think the positions is balanced in  Karpov preferred Smyslov variation.

I got hit by a poisen called Nimzo Indian, studing all possible lines combined with studing games by the old masters (in all openings) changed my view of chess forever. If anynone had told my that I was going to play Caro-Kann a year ago I would have laughed at it. I will probebly still keep the Dragon and play it on special occasions.

By that way; I would probelby die before I get old and grey.

bragesjo wrote on 07/27/12 at 09:12:54:



Oh @bragesjo, you switched from dragon to caro-kann - you must ageing far quicker than me. What will you play, when you are really old and grey? 

Thanks I missed that thread....

Does anyone here have it? Is it any good or are there many holes?

I have not seen any thread here about it.

After 1 e4 c6 d4 d5 Nc3 dxe4 Nxe4 he seems to recommend the Nd7 line instead of Bf5.

Against Panov he transposes to Nimzo Indian if white allows it.

fierypawn wrote on 07/25/12 at 07:08:05:


Yes, it is mentioned as a side-variation and reference is given to Adams plan of playing 11 ... 0-0 12 0-0-0 Na4. There is nothing on 14.Ne5, but you can look at Sasikiran's game against Prasad for this. Black missed a few opportunities in this game.