Playing the Caro-Kann

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.

"Playing the Caro-Kann (Quality Chess) is another excellent effort from Lars Schandorff… The book is excellently researched and extremely thorough – Caro-Kann addicts are in for a treat: 4 stars." -GM Matthew Sadler, New in Chess

"The Caro-Kann is experiencing a popularity never before seen as it is being adopted by the best players in the world – Carlsen, Caruana and Firouzja to mention but three.

The heart of Playing the Caro-Kann is Schandorff's coverage of the Advance Variation (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5) which is roughly double the amount of his previous book, reflecting the many developments in the most theoretically challenging line against the Caro-Kann.

This book is both well-researched and well-explained. Opening books by definition tend to be a little dry, but Schandorff's colorful style keeps the reader engaged. Anyone intending to play the Caro-Kann will want this book." -- IM John Donaldson

"Overall, this book offers a wealth of new, fresh ideas and a White repertoire against the Sicilian main variations which personally convinces me more than Parimarjan Negi's work on this complex… Those who are prepared to work through the book conscientiously will certainly achieve many good positions… I highly recommend this book!" -- IM Dirk Schuh

Lars Schandorff is a chess grandmaster from Denmark who is renowned for his opening preparation. His first book for Quality Chess, Playing the Queen’s Gambit, received superb reviews.

The Caro-Kann is renowned as a top-tier chess defense 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.

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