Check out my Caro-Kann course: www.chessable.com/the-caro-kann-simplified/course/171080/

Concerning game 2: I think assuming someone is cheating because they know the first 4 moves of an opening is a bit unfair. Since the game has become more popular online, the standard of play at lower levels (at least in the opening) isn't as poor as it was a few years ago. I'm 300 rating points lower than your opponent and knew immediately that f4 was the move to play. What separates me from a higher rated opponent is knowing WHY that is the move. I, and people my level, don't know how to capitalise on deviations from the book because we don't understand the nuances of the position. Your opponent proved that by making basic and fundamental mistakes later on. Learning the first 5 moves of an opening is easy, understanding them is the challenge

I had 100% loss rate trying to learn the Caro-Kann. This video has gotten me a few wins now, even though I'm definitely still making blunders. Thank you!

I just came across your videos randomly for the first time and I am super happy I did! Not only are you a great coach but there's something about your demeanor that I truly enjoy. And the one thing that I absolutely appreciate about your coaching is that you don't go off on crazy tangents about all the dozens of different variation possibilities with every single move, which for someone like myself whom is average at best it can become really overwhelming to take in. So thank you for playing down and keeping it simple!

You are slowly moving up the ladder for me.... I truly enjoy your caro videos

Thanks for the longer video, this content helps me so much 🙏

I'm just starting in chess and I'm in love with this opening. I want to specialize in it and Alex has encouraged me a lot with his videos. Thank you!

I enjoy your enthusiasm and joy for chess. You make watching/playing chess more fun and greatly appreciate the content/tutorial!

Your Caro Kann and London systems have been absolutely inredibly helpful my friend. Thank you so much for these videos!

I really enjoy your videos. And I am working to improve with you Chessable London courses. The added video is very informative and helps to explain the thought processes. Can’t wait until the Caro course finally drops.

"this guy is fighting for his life". Sounds like count Dracula 🦇

Watched video. Immediately played. First game fantasy variation, 6 move resignation. Second game - put knight on e4 outpost with support from f and d pawns. This well-placed knight was so frustrating my opponent sacked their rook for this piece. I took with the f pawn opening the f file for my rook, a 2nd resignation soon followed. Thank you.

Yessss, the ROCK SOLID CaroKann! I love these videos, thanks for sharing!

Before learning Caro-Kann, my win % with black was only about 38%, while with white it was about 55%, now after leaning Caro it has increased to 44% for black, and my chess has improved in general , my win % with white also increased to 60%

chess speaks for itself

Good analysis. Has me thinking of possibilities when learning this line/theory. Thanks!

The best thing I did was buying your course, thank you very much! I saw a random video of yours about traps in the London System, I liked it and I took a look at the course, it was the best purchase I made on chessable. Thank you bro!

Love these videos, they help my chess a lot!!

I’ve been playing the Caro for about 2 years now and it’s definitely become my favorite opening to play.

Only just found this channel. Great way to spend an hour and I really like your style of presentation. Great smile, too!

Hello, Alex when you are going to publish your Caro-Kann course in Chessable? Can't wait for it

So glad I found you! My game has reached a plateau over the last 10 years.

As always, thank you.

Amazing videos. Good recommendations as side lines

In game 2, f4 is the 3rd most commonly played move. It is wild to me that you immediately jumped to thinking he was cheating.

Just noticed from your fantasy variation as you should use dark square bishop for check (change the bishops) then bring the rook (mate)

Actually the only opening I've really managed to learn is Caro. I played against computer many many times, taking it's moves and repeating. In the end arriving at a drawing line as black with the Caro. Which was a couple of years ago, and now I can't say I remember much, but kind of have a good educated guess in most positions having played a lot of speed chess with it. I play c5 against the advance and really do quite well in that line. 67% win rate (for black). Basically with Caro if you don't mess up it holds against almost anyone and very often once you finally get developed you're usually the one with the initiative.

Alex....Need that course,sounds amazing...

Great caro-kann concepts highlights!

I'm not sure if after watching these videos I play better or the opponents play weaker: but either way, good things happen for me on the chess board! Thanks for taking the time to create these instructional videos.

Very good , very simle an very sweet. I like your style of teaching.

loved the way u phrased that at 6:20. I have to get better at accepting that I'm not gonna be able to get a brilliant win sometimes

Excellent presentaion! Thanks!

amazing video, this is addictive ;p thanks for the valuable queen endgame and the Caro-Kann moves. Will check your chessable too. Feels good you are Romanian too :)

i dont know where you get your comparisons, but im actually lmao here! love the content!

@ 16:38 the queen covers for the knight, while you're shocked, it's a very normal move for the unlearned because all we're thinking about is staying even and not positionally as we have no idea what that means:)

The Qe2 mpve is a trappy line that eric rosen recommends against Caro-Kann

Great content as always, love it! Could you make a video about how you recommend to play against the Fantasy variant of the Caro Kann, please?

Please do a caro kahn course om chessable! I love your London one!

Great video! Good job. Better than a lot of other chess videos online. :D

Watched the first game we nearly got a fantasy.. few pro moves and tips and finished off with a smooth tricky royal fork into a resignation! Great.. now to game 2

Thanks pal, this has really helped me, before I got baked,not to just use it,but nice to know how the best defense is! 🤗🎼🎵🎶🎵🎶

I'm really glad that in the last game you realised that your mating plan wouldn't have actually worked. I ponder plans and worry that it won't work, so I don't try them sometimes, but you just going for your plan even though the post mortem analysis said it was bad, gives me confidence to just try anyway. Thanks, that was a great video. I'm sure I'll gain 69 Elo, and 5mm of penis growth.

Hi Alex, Is the Goldman version if the Caro in your course included? Or have you got some videos here about the topic?

Rlly nice content Alexi 👀

I wish you the best sir. Right on time.

“We all suck in the game of chess”. We are all in this together 😂

I love your relaxed confidence in your moves. It's my goal.

Thank you ,nice content

Game 2 hahaha... "Oh Boy..." So good @Alex!

Hey Alex, in game 4 what move was the 1 blunder you had? Another great video!

The most common response I encounter when I play 1. e4 c6 is white playing 2. Nf3. I know that continuing the Caro as normal with 2. d5 is the best response, but it definitely poses a challenge for me at my level on how to best take advantage of the position afterwards

13.55 : "This is like.. you get yourself a Lamborghini but you don't have a driving licence". Priceless!

Thanks for the great videos. They have encouraged me to try the Caro and it's working well. PS even the best players suck vs. Leela or Stockfish!

I like the way you explain. You got a sub.

So glad you covered the Fantasy again. I’ve noticed more and more streamers recommending it, including Danya Naroditsky. Would appreciate more videos focusing on this variation with 1500-2000 elo focus when they won’t fall for the quick loss 😊

Hello, new player here, I have one question. At 42:20 would it be stronger to do QA1 check, followed by QxA2 check and if king goes back to file 1 you have another QA1 check combined with a fork on C3 pawn. If king goes in file 3 queen can move to C4 to protect the knight. I'm only 400 so I'm probably missing something here, would appreciate any answers

I love your teaching and lesson excellento👌superb

Awesome video! thanks

You’re a phenomenal teacher my friend

nice gameplay. 10/10 commentary 👍

Wonderful teacher personality. Thoroughly enjoyed the lessons. First contact with you.

f4 is not a suspicious move... nor is any logical move. If it looks weird, but IS the top move, then it's suspicious. Also if they play perfect moves consistently.

Just pulled off the fantasy variation on my friend😂 Thanks!

38:09 You could force a trade off his queen for your rook there by moving G6 pawn. After the trade he is losing very soon.

Hi, Alex. Your Caro-Kann course is not appearing in the list of forthcoming Chessable courses by now. Do you have an estimate for the releasing date thereof? Thanks a lot.

When you did the rook G3 move, what would you have done if he took the rook with his F2 pawn?

Thanks

when i go knight c3 teh oponnent always go bishop b5, what is correct way to respond that? thanks

Alex Banzea is the man.

Yes brother

Just started. Went from 400 to 200 and back to 450ish rn. They seem to bring out the Q early and often so I can’t say for sure but usually E4, QF or E4 xF3 seems to be the most common for me.

Of course he brings up food when making a chess video 😂 love everything about Italian people ❤😂

Best Caro-Kann vid 👌

Game 2 Whites best move is to take c5. Most people don't know that so you get fun lines as black. Protecting the advanced pawn with f4 or Nf3 is normal theory. I think he studied the Botvinnik-Carls a little bit.

this help me thankyou

Lmaoooo 17:28 has me dying…. Comparing a blunder to a guy sending a girl a d*** pic on the internet was a spot on analogy. 😂😂

I'm sure your game 2 opponent wouldn't appreciate being called a cheater.

Hi Alex, at 32:20, opponent plays bf4 and you reply with e6. Is d4 pawn hanging because knight is pinned to the queen? Or is taking it a mistake? Thanks

First game Fantasy is probably the best line against the Caro but can lose fast too. It's the only variation that I have abandoned.

What chess app are you playing on were I can move the Pieces to learn from our mistakes.

this move is the equivalent to sending a Dic pix...Classic!!

You have great analogies

Hey! I’m currently rated around 900 Only knowing a few openings. What would you say I should learn to carry me over the 1000 mark? (If someone else is reading this who can give my advice, please reply as well)

🤣"Losing like a real man", that was cold

I went advance variation againstnit and DID play bishop d3. That said i was just really liking the d3 bishop in london and thats why i played that. Got crushed as the guy played it completely from memory and made best moves in time while i had to lose time to think. Sometimes i just play some great moves when i first encounter an opening. Then i just lose on time cause i was not prepped xD

at 47:44, is e8 better for the knight than h5? I think h5 wins a bishop faster than e8 but I'm not sure and want to understand

Game 5 you had some nice tactic which u missed. Also missed to cover in the analysis. Since u pinned his knight it was a free pawn in the opening. And then when he had his queen on g3 and bishop on f4 (after he played knight d2) you had the beautiful line knight h5 hitting the bishop and queen. His best response is queen e3 or g4, either way u take on f4 with knight he takes back with his queen and u play bishop g5 lining up the attack on his queen and knight and giving him no possibility to defend this knight while saving his queen. Only saw it by reconstructing your game ^^

Man I didn't know caro can be that tricky!

38:12, Alex, is it possible to trap his queen by pushing the pawn on g5? he has to take with the queen, than rook to g6. i might be wrong, idk if there are any tricks for white.

Can someone explain to me why knight to e8 is better than knight to h5, forking the queen and bishop (still protecting from mate). About 33:50

Qe2 is for a smothered mate. If you play QN-Q2 then Nd6 checkmate.

There are few people that have watched more hikaru rosen chessbrah than I. Your content is as good as any of them if not better although GM Aman Hambelton is great too!

loved your commentary🤣

At 57:57, would Queen to d2 have been good? It looked promising to me, but I'm only 1500 rapid (I don't play blitz).

I see quite a lot of F4 in advance games. I wouldn't think it's overly suspicious.

what do you play vs the panov? It's my favorite as white.

Game 1: After white played Knight C3 as a counter too bischop C5. Black can play Queen B6 and you suggest Knight A4 (7:45 in vid). Black can check with the Queen on B4 and take in the next the knight? My quesion, how does Knight C3 work as a counter to this trap?

*Kings Indian attack* allow me to introduce myself 😂😂

I was stuck at 950-1000 so I thought maybe learning an opening would do me good. I chose the Caro-Kann for black. I dropped 200 elo points, now I struggle against 800s.