Published in 2018 and has a lot of recent analyses of contemporary GM played lines and also correspondence/internet games. The Caro-Kann is not as borPublished in 2018 and has a lot of recent analyses of contemporary GM played lines and also correspondence/internet games. The Caro-Kann is not as boring as once thought and Bologan captures the new energy of this opening. He studied with Karpov's Caro-Kann guru so also had access to Karpov's preparation. It's billed as a repertoire for Black, but after this first read through, a lot of the lines for white look dangerous with tough replies that the black side has to remember to be better....more
Another great Tal book as he describes and annotates every game of the his match with Botvinnik, which he won to become world champion. Put this on thAnother great Tal book as he describes and annotates every game of the his match with Botvinnik, which he won to become world champion. Put this on the caro-kann shelf because they played six games in that opening and Tal's insights are particularly instructive. Could also be on a nimzo-indian and king's-indian shelves as those defenses were also tested multiple times....more
I have several other books in this series and they are all my go-to books once I'm bored with an opening and want to try some completely risky moves tI have several other books in this series and they are all my go-to books once I'm bored with an opening and want to try some completely risky moves to get an exciting game. These are great books because they explore in depth the lines that most opening books ignore. Had some of my funnest games trying out moves from books in this series. You can catch an opponent off-guard and get spectacular wins and you can also blow-up quickly and find out why some of these moves are not the main line. Fun stuff either way....more
Another one that is more oriented to the middle game. The assumption here is that you are a high-level player and will march yourself down a safe openAnother one that is more oriented to the middle game. The assumption here is that you are a high-level player and will march yourself down a safe opening variation that has been tested by grandmasters, the goal being to reach a middle game to your liking. So this book can help you pick the lines that suit your style....more
This is much more of a middle game book on the Caro-Kann. What do you do once you are 10 or so moves into the main variations? Wells book is a big helThis is much more of a middle game book on the Caro-Kann. What do you do once you are 10 or so moves into the main variations? Wells book is a big help with that because he shows the aim of the variations and the type of positions you'll end up in by following the main lines. Shows you what to watch out for and why you might want to avoid certain lines....more
Another good overview of the strategic ideas for each of the major variations. Doesn't go very deep into the variations. Ideal as a quick refresher reAnother good overview of the strategic ideas for each of the major variations. Doesn't go very deep into the variations. Ideal as a quick refresher read before playing a Caro-Kann game....more
I have a few of Lakdawala's move by move books and he has a unique and irreverent writing style that makes for fun reading. He's a bit arrogant on hisI have a few of Lakdawala's move by move books and he has a unique and irreverent writing style that makes for fun reading. He's a bit arrogant on his variations though, taking the attitude that "it's a better line, just trust me" and I have had some disastrous games playing some of his variations. It's a gook book for learning the Caro-Kann variations, but I wouldn't follow his lines too far unless you are in sync with his style of play....more
When I first starting learning the Caro-Kann this was the book I started with and it does a great job of steering you clear of bad positions and gettiWhen I first starting learning the Caro-Kann this was the book I started with and it does a great job of steering you clear of bad positions and getting you into the middle game in decent shape. Great chapters on the Panov-Botvinnik attack that really lay out the strategic ideas in a way I haven't seen in other Caro-Kann books....more
First published in 1980, so it has none of the recent developments. It is nonetheless an excellent starting point for understanding the basic variatioFirst published in 1980, so it has none of the recent developments. It is nonetheless an excellent starting point for understanding the basic variations. The book is especially strong on strategy and has an excellent section at the beginning which discusses the pawn structures for each variation....more
For a while I played the Caro-Kann exclusively against 1. e4 so was always comfortable playing against it as white. Got pretty boring, however, so I sFor a while I played the Caro-Kann exclusively against 1. e4 so was always comfortable playing against it as white. Got pretty boring, however, so I switched to other defenses. And that left a conundrum about what to do when facing it from the other side. No more. Although I no longer play the Caro-Kann as black, since finding this book I relish the chance to play it from the white side. Bezgodov analysizes the variations extensively, but so far my experience playing this line is quite chaotic because no one seems to know the "book lines." This book does what any good book on openings should - get you through the early pitfalls, prepares some tactical wins against the unwary, and provides you an edge out of the opening in the main lines. Definitely cutting edge theory, so highly recommended for Caro-Kann players....more
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