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The Complete Caro

The Complete Caro

Shankland
GM Sam Shankland
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Learn a lifetime repertoire from a US Champion!

Looking for an opening to last a lifetime? 2018 US Champion, GM Sam Shankland demonstrates the ins and outs of one of his favorites, the Caro-Kann Defense! Learn the details of every variation White can throw at you, along with sample games from the highest level! Shankland shows the key variations as well as the tactical themes and positional ideas that will help players of any level!

Here is what you will learn:

  • Bust the Fantasy Variation!
  • Tame the Panov Attack!
  • Play for a win against White’s main lines!
  • Dismantle the Advance Variations!

"Wow, I'm a 1700 player and have been playing the Caro-Kann for half a year but I'm learning so many new ways to beat pet set-ups. Thank you so much Sam for dedicating your time to making these must-need videos for us." - Chess.com member Chess4001

"Very advanced stuff here! I did enjoy listening to you explain the plans behind each variation. Explaining the variation is one thing but fully explaining what white and black are trying to achieve is another - and you did a very good job at it! It's almost like having a personal coach!" - Chess.com member pumpupthevolume247

The Complete Caro: Sidelines First!

There are many sidelines White can play to avoid the mainline theoretical battles. GM Shankland shows you how to handle each curveball White may throw your way, preparing to fight for the initiative and take control of the game whenever possible.
17 min
5 Challenges

The Complete Caro: The Fantasy Variation

White's exotic 3. f3 looks like a beginner's move, but don't underestimate the Fantasy Variation. Enjoy GM Shankland's second installment to The Complete Caro video series, and take notes on his personal recommendation (5...Bg4) against this tricky variation. Sam walks us through the "ideal setup" for Black, and highlights the principles behind this approach. He also gives his recommendation for White's improvement over the main line, so you definitely don't want to miss out on this content-rich video!
23 min
5 Challenges

The Complete Caro: The Panov Attack

After quickly giving his recommendation against the 4.Bd3 variation of the Exchange Caro, GM Shankland proceeds with speed! His "rapid fire" approach to the Panov-Botvinnik Attack (where he suggests the 5...Nc6 variation) should leave everyone feeling excited to dive into these lines and use Sam's suggestions as a solid foundation for building an opening repertoire against 1.e4 around the Caro Kann!
28 min
5 Challenges

The Complete Caro: Old Main Lines

GM Shankland continues to guide his new video series on the Caro Kann from sidelines back to the "classical/main line" variations. Here he reviews the most common approach against the Caro Kann, and gives his recommendations on how Black should play this variation under the "modern day theory" microscope.
23 min
5 Challenges

The Complete Caro: Advanced Variation 1!

The Caro Kann is a rock-solid, reliable defense to 1. e4, but White can definitely sharpen the game with the complicated and popular Advanced Variation. GM Shankland shows us how Black can confidently respond to White's aggression using the positional 3...Bf5, and reviews some of White's most direct attacking ideas behind 4.g4, 4.Nc3, 4.h4 as well as a few other tricky options. He then provides a sneak peak into the next video in the series...
25 min
5 Challenges

The Complete Caro: The Advanced Variation 2!

GM Shankland completes his coverage of the Advanced Variation. He guides us through calmer, but still dangerous waters in the more positional approaches by White, including how World Champion Magnus Carlsen interprets the venomous "Short Variation." Follow Shankland's recommendations closely, and you can face one of White's most challenging systems against the Caro Kann with confidence!
26 min
5 Challenges

The Complete Caro: Laznicka beats Hou!

Just when you thought you had seen all you would from GM Shankland for the Complete Caro series, you're in for a treat with bonus lessons! Today's video is the first in a few "sequel parts" designed to show you the ideas you learned from Sam applied in practice by the world's best players. First on the agenda is a nice victory for Black in the Classical Caro Kann.
20 min
5 Challenges

The Complete Caro: What Not to Do!

It's nice to see model games and examples of how to play the Caro Kann, but we can also greatly benefit from learning what NOT to play as well! Today's game gives a clear reason for why Black cannot afford any missteps in his development plan, nor can he get away with a passive approach in the middlegame. Gharamian puts on a clinic from White's perspective, launching a deadly queenside assault!
15 min
5 Challenges

The Complete Caro: Riazantsev Dominates!

GM Sam Shankland brings his series on the Caro Kann to a close today. He reviews the game Inarkiev-Riazantsev, and he highlights Black's ability to open the center quickly without giving White any weaknesses to target. Shankland suggests Riazantsev is one of the strongest players in the world to consistently feature the Caro as a main part of his repertoire, so he is a good model to follow. The game ends with a brilliant attack against the white king, which we hope you also can enjoy in your games playing the Caro Kann!
15 min
5 Challenges

The Complete Caro

Openingen
9 Lessons
192 Minutes
45 Challenges
Released 7/2/2019

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