The Caro-Kann is a rare beast among chess openings. While respected as a sound and safe way to start the game, it also avoids symmetry or simplification. This allows Black many ways to keep the game unbalanced and play for a win.

Two Norwegian opening experts provide a set of options that take full advantage of this flexibility. In the main line, you are given a choice between the 4...Bf5 and the 5...exf6 systems – but both strictly in their modern dynamic forms! In the latter, Hansen is a world-leading authority, with a wealth of experience to explain the typical mistakes White makes when facing this deceptively tricky line. By studying his material, you will be well ahead of the game in this rapidly-evolving system. For instance, the critical improvements over the Duda-Carlsen game in 2020 were already in Hansen’s files from two years earlier.

The other recommended systems for Black are also aggressive and very much the ‘21st-century Caro-Kann’. It’s 3...c5 against the Advance, in which Hansen is also an outstanding specialist. The Panov Attack is answered with ...g6 lines – strategically ideal, and nowadays backed up by amazing modern computer analysis. Against the Two Knights, we are offered an ...exf6 option as well as the ...Bg4 approach. The repertoire is completed with good sensible recommendations against almost every other conceivable move White can throw at the Caro-Kann. This extremely up-to-date book has an innovative structure, with ‘lessons’, model games and theory ‘magnifiers’.

Sverre Johnsen is a chess analyst, researcher, organizer, trainer and writer from Norway. He is the author or co-author of several successful Gambit books: A Killer Chess Opening Repertoire - new enlarged edition with Aaron Summerscale; The Ruy Lopez: a Guide for Black with Leif Johannessen; Win with the London System with Vlatko Kovačević; Win with the Stonewall Dutch with Ivar Bern and Simen Agdestein.

Grandmaster Torbjørn Ringdal Hansen is also from Norway. He is one of the founders of the chess retail business Sjakkhuset and works full-time as a chess trainer. He was the first coach of Magnus Carlsen (in 1999) and has worked with three other players who went on to become grandmasters.

Download a pdf file with a sample from the book.

Watch a YouTube video in which GM John Nunn presents a sample from this book.

“A practical, reliable and in places inspiring guide to an opening that is fashionable without being totally overwhelming to learn” – FM James Vigus

“The content of this book has been well thought out, the explanations clear. For Caro-Kann players we can say that the authors have prepared an excellently explained repertoire” – Herman Grooten, schaaksite.nl

“The material is divided into good size lessons, with a fluid and coherent explanation of key ideas” – Miguel Ararat, Florida Chess Magazine

“The different systems are treated in detail and expertly” – B.H.Wilders, Nederlands Dagblad

“Gambit does not publish many opening books, but when they do, they tend to be of superior quality. Win with the Caro-Kann is a repertoire book with the authors offering two choices for Black against White’s major tries and a single choice against lesser lines. Over 100 pages is devoted to answering 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 with both 4...Bf5 and 4...Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6. Johnsen and Ringdal Hansen round out their repertoire with 3...c5 against the Advance Variation, 5...g6 against the Panov-Botvinnik and coverage against lesser lines – for example 3...e6 4.Nc3 Bb4 against the Fantasy Variation (3.f3). Has a detailed index of variations making it easy to locate specific lines” –IM John Donaldson

“I actually feel much more confident about playing 1...c6 now. It has done what a good chess book should – give me the motivation to investigate further. It also demonstrates the richness of our game. You can play chess for decades, as I have, and then suddenly something new and interesting arrives to pull you back into the depths of the ocean of chess once again. I love it” – Carl Portman, Carl Portman Blog