In chess the Caro-Kann opening is one of Black's most reliable answers to 1.e4. It is a regular favorite of elite players, who know that computer-aided preparation now threatens the sharpest lines of the Sicilian or Ruy Lopez (at the very least with a forced draw). The Caro-Kann is less susceptible to such forcing lines - Black sets out to equalize in the opening, and win the game later.Grandmaster Lars Schandorff reveals a bulletproof chess opening repertoire and lucidly explains how Black should play the middlegame and endgame.

The Caro-Kann Defence has a justified reputation for reliability, making it an attractive choice for players with a preference for positional play. However in recent years many new dangerous ideas have been discovered for White which makes a study of the theoretical main lines imperative for competitive players. In this first volume, former world champion Anatoly Karpov, a life-long adherent of the Caro-Kann, undertakes a detailed examination of Classical Systems against the Caro-Kann which commence 1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3, and also the Advance Variation 3 e5. With this approach, precision and good timing is vital and can promise Black a successful defence, counter-chances and even a strategical advantage.

The Caro-Kann Defence, long renowned for being a solid and reliable defence against 1.e4, is undergoing a renaissance at the moment. In addition to being a mainstay in the repertoires of a recent World Champion (Viswanathan Anand) and a 2018 World Championship candidate (Ding Liren), it is being flooded with new and creative ideas from a range of other top players, notably Anand's Indian Olympiad teammates Vidit and Adhiban. The pawn structures in this opening leave considerable room for individual interpretation. This book is written for the Black side, though new ideas for White are suggested and old ones occasionally improved. It contains not only the author's personal take on how to deal with all major White tries after 1.e4 c6, but also a range of alternatives for Black- to cater for different types of Caro-Kann player. This repertoire builds on the existing state of theory, taking it in novel, exciting and decidedly modern directions, while not forgetting about the opening's sound strategic underpinnings.

The Caro-Kann Defence has a justified reputation for reliability, making it an attractive choice for players with a preference for positional play. However in recent years many new dangerous ideas have been discovered for White which makes a study of the theoretical main lines imperative for competitive players. The Panov Attack against the Caro-Kann, 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4, covered in this second volume in the series, leads to a rapid opening of lines and very lively piece play with prospects of a quick attack on the kingside, queenside or the centre. Former world champion Anatoly Karpov and his collaborator Mikhail Podgaets select and analyse the essential main lines that provide Black not only with security, but also with active play. About the Author Anatoly Karpov is a living legend of the chess; he has dominated the world of the chess for over a decade as the world chess champion between 1975 and 1985. Garry Kasparov, the current champion, dethroned him and the two ideologically opposed Russians have had a bitter rivalry ever since. Anatoly Karpov is also the winner of the largest number of tournaments in the history of the chess, with more than 160 due tournaments. He is considered the best positional player of history of chess and is the author of several other books on chess theory.

This book presents a comprehensive, ready-to-use, and high-quality repertoire for Black against 1.e4. With meticulous analysis and in-depth explanations, the author demonstrates how the Caro-Kann Defense can be used successfully by players of any level. He also draws on his experience and on his trove of novel ideas to present a new take on the Caro-Kann: one that emphasizes Black's dynamic options while maintaining a solid and flexible setup.

The Caro-Kann is renowned as a top-tier chess defence to 1.e4, and Lars Schandorff's Grandmaster Repertoire book on this opening received rave reviews. As GM Zenon Franco Ocampos put it, "I cannot imagine a better way of converting into a Caro-Kann player." A decade later, Schandorff is back with a completely new repertoire which improves on his previous work in every way.Playing the Caro-Kann offers a complete repertoire for Black after 1.e4 c6, based on 2.d4 d5 followed by 3.e5 Bf5 or 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6. With cutting-edge analysis, thorough explanations of positional motifs and instructively annotated illustrative games, this book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the Caro-Kann.

In Play the Caro-Kann, International MasterJovanka Houska presents the reader with a concise and trustworthy repertoire within this popular and dynamic opening, providing a solution against all of White's main possibilities. Houska examines the important tactical and strategic plans for both sides, arming the reader with enough information to begin playing the Caro-Kann with confidence in his or her own games.