Let's play the Caro-Kann!
Let's learn the Caro-Kann! This opening was invented in 1886 by GM Levy Rozman and remains one of the best counter attacks to white playing pawn e4. OK, not all of that is true, but let's start with playing with pawn to c6.
White is greedy taking the whole center, now we fight back with pawn to d5. White has a choice here - do they take? Do they push? Or do they ignore?
White chose to push their pawn, bringing us to the caro-kann advanced variation. This is the most popular move by White, probably because they are too scared to take. The truth is they should be scared to play us in general, because we've studied every possible response. Let's play pawn to c5 immediately, trying to destabilize the center.
White is greedy and took our pawn. Let's immediately attack their weak pawns with knight to c6.
Taking the pawn back on e5 is actually a bit poisonous. Let's continue with our regular play: Pawn to e6, opening up our bishop and giving our knight a way to develop.
We still shouldn't take the pawn. Instead, pawn to a5.
Finally!!! Black made a mistake. NOW we can take the pawn. Knight to e5.
White's bishop is powerful right now. The best move to fight back is pawn to f6.
And we take back of course! Pawn takes on e5
Oh no a check!!!! Actually white is playing awful here and we have a huge advantage. Let's play pawn to g6.
Finally, knight to f6.
Well done!! Even though we are down a pawn, We are definitely winning one back soon and our strong center means the computer gives us a 2 or 3 point advantage!!
This was a very strong response from white, actually. I wouldn't have guessed the next move in a million years. It's knight h6. I'm not going to even try and explain that one to you.
White is playing well here. Let's play the classic pawn to e6.
Now we can fight back against White's strong pawns with pawn to a5.
Let's unpin with bishop to d7.
Take back of course. Bishop to c6.
Because White's king is so weak, the computer gives us a 1 or 2 point advantage from this position.
White once again rejects taking our pawn, and from here we will win lots of games. Knight to c6 immediately, adding more pressure to the d4 pawn.
We're going to get this position a LOT. Let's slightly clarify the situation with pawn takes pawn on d4.
The d4 pawn is now White's biggest weakness. Our game plan: attack this pawn with everything we have. Let's develop our bishop to g4, pinning the knight to remove a defender of the d4 pawn.
This mindless move from white gives us a huge edge. Bishop takes knight on f3.
Now we just have knight takes d4, attacking the queen.
Let's bring our knight back to c6.
Beautiful! We are simply up a pawn.
Let's bring our queen out to b6, adding yet another attacker to the d4 pawn.
Well done! White has a really hard time defending their position here.
Has white moved like... a single piece this game? I don't think so. Anyways, pawn takes on d4.
OK let's play a move you've never played before: pawn to h5. The point is... well the point is pretty complicated. Something about strengthening our light squares yada yada yada. All I know is black wins most of their games when they play pawn to h5.
OK let's pin the knight. Bishop to g4.
Now that our bishop is developed, we can play pawn to e6.
The last step is to develop our queen to b6.
Well done! Even though the material is equal, the computer thinks we are better in this position.