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Opening Repertoire: The Caro-Kann
The Caro-Kann Defence remains a very popular option for Black at all levels of chess. It has always enjoyed a solid reputation, but if anything its popularity has increased in recent years with the realization that the Caro-Kann can also be employed with the intention of reaching sharp dynamic positions, rich in possibilities for both sides and with a guarantee of genuine counterplay for Black.
In this book, International Master Jovanka Houska presents the reader with a complete Caro-Kann repertoire, which is based primarily on her own repertoire she has used with success over many years at international level. Houska provides a comprehensive update on her popular 2007 book Play the Caro-Kann and focuses on key new developments since then. She offers solutions against all of White's main options and efficient methods to deal with tricky sidelines. She examines important tactical and strategic plans for both sides and deals with key move order issues. This book tells you everything you need to know about playing the Caro-Kann.
A complete repertoire to 1 e4
Packed with new ideas and analysis
Written by a Caro-Kann expert
In this book, International Master Jovanka Houska presents the reader with a complete Caro-Kann repertoire, which is based primarily on her own repertoire she has used with success over many years at international level. Houska provides a comprehensive update on her popular 2007 book Play the Caro-Kann and focuses on key new developments since then. She offers solutions against all of White's main options and efficient methods to deal with tricky sidelines. She examines important tactical and strategic plans for both sides and deals with key move order issues. This book tells you everything you need to know about playing the Caro-Kann.
A complete repertoire to 1 e4
Packed with new ideas and analysis
Written by a Caro-Kann expert
799 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2015
32 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Jovanka Houska
13 books4 followersJovanka Houska is an English chess player with the titles International Master (IM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM). She is a six times winner of the British Women's Chess Championship.
Born in south London, Houska's family name stems from her grandfather who was part Czech. Her first name is typically Slavic, but was chosen only to complement the family name. Chess is a popular sport in the Houska family, and she owes much of her progress to the sibling rivalry that developed with elder brother Miroslav, himself an International Master of chess, though currently inactive. She now lives on the capital's north side and has a degree in Law.
One of England's most active professionals, she first represented her country at the World Youth Championship for Girls (under 10) in Timişoara 1988, finishing fifth after a disastrous start and despite being years younger than most of her opponents. She competed in the same event at Aguadilla in 1989 and then, for a third time at Fond du Lac in 1990, where she won the bronze medal. There were many more successes over the next few years including another bronze medal at the European Junior Championship for girls (under 20) at Erevan in 1998. As a consequence, she was awarded the Woman International Master (WIM) title the same year, after securing all three norms in just over a month. Her first WGM norm was achieved at the 1999 British Championship when she was still a teenager.
Then, at Avilés in 2000, her previous efforts were eclipsed by a return visit to the European Junior Championship—capturing the gold winner's medal, ahead of Viktorija Čmilytė. It was a milestone victory, as it also provided a final qualification norm for the WGM title. The following year saw her take the Women's Commonwealth Championship, held in London in conjunction with the Mind Sports Olympiad. She defeated GM Dibyendu Barua in the process and gained a first IM norm.
Despite her time-consuming academic studies, the next few years were notable for Houska's unstinting contribution to the England Women's team at various major competitions around the world. She participated at each of the Chess Olympiads between 1998 and 2008 and aside from her first appearance as a reserve, has played consistently on high boards, scoring in excess of 50% on each occasion. From 1999 onwards, she has also been an ever-present at the European Team Chess Championships. The team's most notable performance in this event, occurred at Leon in 2001, where a third-place finish produced a team bronze medal.
An active league chess player, she has represented SK Hofheim in the German Bundesliga, Deauville in France, and Wood Green in the 4NCL.
Following yet more successful norm-seeking, she became the third British woman to be awarded the IM title in 2005. Voted English Chess Federation Player of the Year in 2006, she was the first female to receive the accolade since its inception in 1984. There were 'highest placed Woman' prizes at the Hastings International Chess Congress 2006/7 and at Gibraltar 2007.
At Liverpool in 2008, she became British and English Women's Champion for the first time, finishing a full point ahead of closest rival Susan Lalic and a half point ahead of grandmasters Glenn Flear and Stewart Haslinger.
Houska successfully defended her British Championship title at the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 events. By July 2010, her sustained good form had elevated her to an Elo rating of 2433, making her England's second ranked woman player (behind Harriet Hunt) and number fifty-one in the world among active female players. A further British Championship victory was achieved in 2016, at Bournemouth.
As a chess writer, she has reported on tournaments home and abroad for periodicals such as CHESS magazine. Houska completed her first chess opening book in 2007. Written for Everyman Chess, it features a treatise on Houska's opening of choice with the Black pieces—the Caro-Kann Defence.
Born in south London, Houska's family name stems from her grandfather who was part Czech. Her first name is typically Slavic, but was chosen only to complement the family name. Chess is a popular sport in the Houska family, and she owes much of her progress to the sibling rivalry that developed with elder brother Miroslav, himself an International Master of chess, though currently inactive. She now lives on the capital's north side and has a degree in Law.
One of England's most active professionals, she first represented her country at the World Youth Championship for Girls (under 10) in Timişoara 1988, finishing fifth after a disastrous start and despite being years younger than most of her opponents. She competed in the same event at Aguadilla in 1989 and then, for a third time at Fond du Lac in 1990, where she won the bronze medal. There were many more successes over the next few years including another bronze medal at the European Junior Championship for girls (under 20) at Erevan in 1998. As a consequence, she was awarded the Woman International Master (WIM) title the same year, after securing all three norms in just over a month. Her first WGM norm was achieved at the 1999 British Championship when she was still a teenager.
Then, at Avilés in 2000, her previous efforts were eclipsed by a return visit to the European Junior Championship—capturing the gold winner's medal, ahead of Viktorija Čmilytė. It was a milestone victory, as it also provided a final qualification norm for the WGM title. The following year saw her take the Women's Commonwealth Championship, held in London in conjunction with the Mind Sports Olympiad. She defeated GM Dibyendu Barua in the process and gained a first IM norm.
Despite her time-consuming academic studies, the next few years were notable for Houska's unstinting contribution to the England Women's team at various major competitions around the world. She participated at each of the Chess Olympiads between 1998 and 2008 and aside from her first appearance as a reserve, has played consistently on high boards, scoring in excess of 50% on each occasion. From 1999 onwards, she has also been an ever-present at the European Team Chess Championships. The team's most notable performance in this event, occurred at Leon in 2001, where a third-place finish produced a team bronze medal.
An active league chess player, she has represented SK Hofheim in the German Bundesliga, Deauville in France, and Wood Green in the 4NCL.
Following yet more successful norm-seeking, she became the third British woman to be awarded the IM title in 2005. Voted English Chess Federation Player of the Year in 2006, she was the first female to receive the accolade since its inception in 1984. There were 'highest placed Woman' prizes at the Hastings International Chess Congress 2006/7 and at Gibraltar 2007.
At Liverpool in 2008, she became British and English Women's Champion for the first time, finishing a full point ahead of closest rival Susan Lalic and a half point ahead of grandmasters Glenn Flear and Stewart Haslinger.
Houska successfully defended her British Championship title at the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 events. By July 2010, her sustained good form had elevated her to an Elo rating of 2433, making her England's second ranked woman player (behind Harriet Hunt) and number fifty-one in the world among active female players. A further British Championship victory was achieved in 2016, at Bournemouth.
As a chess writer, she has reported on tournaments home and abroad for periodicals such as CHESS magazine. Houska completed her first chess opening book in 2007. Written for Everyman Chess, it features a treatise on Houska's opening of choice with the Black pieces—the Caro-Kann Defence.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 10, 2017
The first thing I read by Jovanka Houska was The Mating Game, a wonderfully silly erotic chess novel that she co-wrote with James Essinger. Vanny, the engaging heroine, is a Fun Fearless Female for whom the three most important things in life are her friends, sex and the Caro-Kann. I liked Vanny's friends, and the book contains the best comic sex scene I have read so far this year, but the Caro-Kann part failed to deliver; the book's supposed to be a steamy, explicit romp, and we don't even get to find out whether Vanny plays 4... Bf5 or 4... Nd7 in the main line. Disappointment city!
I have now completely forgiven Jovanka: this book, which she very kindly sent me a couple of weeks ago, contains all the Caro-Kann any reasonable person could want. I still feel though that The Mating Game would benefit from having a little content moved over. If there's any chance of a second edition, here's my artist's impression of how it might be done:
___________________________
I opened the door, and there was Boris standing in front of me. For a moment, I wondered if this had really been a good idea. Surely a Russian billionaire would expect something more elaborate for dinner? But he gave me that charming smile again, and I immediately knew everything would be fine.
"Please... come in," I said. I still couldn't quite get used to the idea that he was right here in my own apartment. "So you found the place okay?"
"Your instructions were absolutely clear," he replied. "And once again, I greatly appreciate the invitation. Now, I assume you must be Jaz? I have heard so much about you from Vanny."
I turned round and found my flatmate unashamedly gawking at him. She pulled herself together and laughed. "Only good things, I hope?" she said.
"Only the very best things," said Boris. "Please, allow me to make a little contribution to the evening's festivities." He opened his briefcase and took out an expensive-looking bottle of red wine.
"I'll open it and check on dinner," said Jaz. "I know you two need to talk." She winked at me over her shoulder as she went back into the kitchen. I could smell the delicious aroma of her signature spag bol wafting out through the door. Boris and I looked at each other for a moment.
"Well?" I asked, unable to bear the tension any longer.
"Well what?" replied Boris, all innocence.
"Oh, don't be cruel!" I burst out. "You know what I mean! What did you think of my manuscript? Have you had time to look at it yet?"
Boris smiled. "Please forgive me for teasing you, dear Vanny," he said. "I have read your manuscript from beginning to end, and found it extremely interesting. As an amateur, I was of course not competent to judge its quality; I took the liberty though of discussing it with one of my employees. Only a FIDE master, but he plays the Caro-Kann himself and I know I can trust him. I hope you do not mind?"
"No, no, not at all," I said. My throat felt suddenly dry. "What did he say?" Jaz came out of the kitchen again and started putting things on the table. I seized the bottle of wine and poured myself a glass.
"That's a Château Lafite Rothschild 1982!" hissed Jaz before I could knock it back in one. I took a sip. It was exquisite.
"Oh," said Boris, "he was very complimentary. He has been playing your recommendations all week on ICC - I fear he has been less productive than usual - and he says they have been working out splendidly."
"Details, details!" I said, rather more loudly than I had meant. "I need details!"
"I must apologize again," said Boris, his eyes twinkling. "But you are even more beautiful when you are in the grip of strong emotions, and it is hard to resist. I have all the details you could require." He took out a little notebook. "Let me see. Coverage of unusual lines: very good. Recommendation against 5 Nc5: excellent. Recommendation against 2 Ne2: excellent."
"That was an idea I got from my team captain," I said, and took another sip of the heavenly wine. Jaz started serving the pasta.
"Recommendation against KIA: very good," continued Boris. "Solid and sensible. Recommendation against Two Knights system: interesting chances of counterplay." He took a forkful of spaghetti. "As delicious as I had been led to believe," he said to Jaz. "My compliments to the chef."
"Thanks!" said Jaz. Now we were talking about chess, all her nervousness had disappeared. "So what did he think about the Panov? Did he like that crazy line Vanny gives?"
Boris flipped over a page. "Recommendation against Panov: initially sceptical, but now convinced. Good explanation of strategic themes."
"I worked hard on the strategic themes," I said indistinctly, my mouth full of spaghetti. "Black's play looks crazy, but f6 and Kf7 keep his position together. Or sometimes Rh7. When you see that, it makes sense."
"Exactly what Emanuel Lavrentievich told me," said Boris. "In fact, there was only one thing in the book that he didn't like."
"What?" I asked, suddenly afraid.
"The line you give against 11 Bd2," said Boris. "The pawn sacrifice. The critical position... ah, you have it set up over there!" He gestured towards the chessboard in the corner. I can still see it in front of me:
"Emmanuel Lavrentievich is... dubious," Boris said. He seemed to me weighing his words carefully. "Perhaps Black's position is tenable, but White's pressure--"
"I know, I know!" I interrupted. I was almost shouting. "I've been looking at it for days, the computer says it's okay, but one slip... one slip..." Jaz put her hand on my arm. "It's okay," she whispered. "We'll find a way to fix it."
"As a matter of fact," said Boris, "I did undertake another small act on my own initiative. After receiving my employee's report, it seemed to me that a little expert advice might be useful. I thought of Anatoly Yevgenyevich, who happens to be an old friend of mine--"
"Anatoly Yevgenyevich?" gasped Jaz. "You're an old friend of Karpov?"
"Perhaps I am exaggerating the nature of our relationship," said Boris. "At any rate, I sent him a note. He was kind enough to reply this morning. Please." He took out an envelope and passed it to me. Feverishly, I tore it open. There were two pages of handwritten chess notation inside.
"What does he say?" asked Jaz. I was still reading. A great light was starting to dawn.
"13... Qb6," I said at last. "It's like he's read my mind. All those lines I was worried about... he's got answers to every one of them. Black is fine. 13... Qb6 is the move." I turned to Boris and before I realised what I was doing I'd kissed him on the mouth. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"I am very happy to have been of assistance," Boris said gravely. "And now, I think we must finish our dinner before it gets cold."
We finished the spaghetti and the wonderful Château Lafite, and then we drank coffee and most of the bottle of armagnac I'd been saving for a special occasion while we continued to examine 13... Qb6. Every line held up. It was like a miracle. Around 1 am, Boris said he had to go. He had an important business meeting next day. Jaz waited until we could hear the lift had reached the bottom, and then she turned to me and threw her hands in the air.
"Girl," she said, in a tone of complete exasperation, "and you don't want to marry him? Are you crazy or something?"
I have now completely forgiven Jovanka: this book, which she very kindly sent me a couple of weeks ago, contains all the Caro-Kann any reasonable person could want. I still feel though that The Mating Game would benefit from having a little content moved over. If there's any chance of a second edition, here's my artist's impression of how it might be done:
___________________________
I opened the door, and there was Boris standing in front of me. For a moment, I wondered if this had really been a good idea. Surely a Russian billionaire would expect something more elaborate for dinner? But he gave me that charming smile again, and I immediately knew everything would be fine.
"Please... come in," I said. I still couldn't quite get used to the idea that he was right here in my own apartment. "So you found the place okay?"
"Your instructions were absolutely clear," he replied. "And once again, I greatly appreciate the invitation. Now, I assume you must be Jaz? I have heard so much about you from Vanny."
I turned round and found my flatmate unashamedly gawking at him. She pulled herself together and laughed. "Only good things, I hope?" she said.
"Only the very best things," said Boris. "Please, allow me to make a little contribution to the evening's festivities." He opened his briefcase and took out an expensive-looking bottle of red wine.
"I'll open it and check on dinner," said Jaz. "I know you two need to talk." She winked at me over her shoulder as she went back into the kitchen. I could smell the delicious aroma of her signature spag bol wafting out through the door. Boris and I looked at each other for a moment.
"Well?" I asked, unable to bear the tension any longer.
"Well what?" replied Boris, all innocence.
"Oh, don't be cruel!" I burst out. "You know what I mean! What did you think of my manuscript? Have you had time to look at it yet?"
Boris smiled. "Please forgive me for teasing you, dear Vanny," he said. "I have read your manuscript from beginning to end, and found it extremely interesting. As an amateur, I was of course not competent to judge its quality; I took the liberty though of discussing it with one of my employees. Only a FIDE master, but he plays the Caro-Kann himself and I know I can trust him. I hope you do not mind?"
"No, no, not at all," I said. My throat felt suddenly dry. "What did he say?" Jaz came out of the kitchen again and started putting things on the table. I seized the bottle of wine and poured myself a glass.
"That's a Château Lafite Rothschild 1982!" hissed Jaz before I could knock it back in one. I took a sip. It was exquisite.
"Oh," said Boris, "he was very complimentary. He has been playing your recommendations all week on ICC - I fear he has been less productive than usual - and he says they have been working out splendidly."
"Details, details!" I said, rather more loudly than I had meant. "I need details!"
"I must apologize again," said Boris, his eyes twinkling. "But you are even more beautiful when you are in the grip of strong emotions, and it is hard to resist. I have all the details you could require." He took out a little notebook. "Let me see. Coverage of unusual lines: very good. Recommendation against 5 Nc5: excellent. Recommendation against 2 Ne2: excellent."
"That was an idea I got from my team captain," I said, and took another sip of the heavenly wine. Jaz started serving the pasta.
"Recommendation against KIA: very good," continued Boris. "Solid and sensible. Recommendation against Two Knights system: interesting chances of counterplay." He took a forkful of spaghetti. "As delicious as I had been led to believe," he said to Jaz. "My compliments to the chef."
"Thanks!" said Jaz. Now we were talking about chess, all her nervousness had disappeared. "So what did he think about the Panov? Did he like that crazy line Vanny gives?"
Boris flipped over a page. "Recommendation against Panov: initially sceptical, but now convinced. Good explanation of strategic themes."
"I worked hard on the strategic themes," I said indistinctly, my mouth full of spaghetti. "Black's play looks crazy, but f6 and Kf7 keep his position together. Or sometimes Rh7. When you see that, it makes sense."
"Exactly what Emanuel Lavrentievich told me," said Boris. "In fact, there was only one thing in the book that he didn't like."
"What?" I asked, suddenly afraid.
"The line you give against 11 Bd2," said Boris. "The pawn sacrifice. The critical position... ah, you have it set up over there!" He gestured towards the chessboard in the corner. I can still see it in front of me:
"Emmanuel Lavrentievich is... dubious," Boris said. He seemed to me weighing his words carefully. "Perhaps Black's position is tenable, but White's pressure--"
"I know, I know!" I interrupted. I was almost shouting. "I've been looking at it for days, the computer says it's okay, but one slip... one slip..." Jaz put her hand on my arm. "It's okay," she whispered. "We'll find a way to fix it."
"As a matter of fact," said Boris, "I did undertake another small act on my own initiative. After receiving my employee's report, it seemed to me that a little expert advice might be useful. I thought of Anatoly Yevgenyevich, who happens to be an old friend of mine--"
"Anatoly Yevgenyevich?" gasped Jaz. "You're an old friend of Karpov?"
"Perhaps I am exaggerating the nature of our relationship," said Boris. "At any rate, I sent him a note. He was kind enough to reply this morning. Please." He took out an envelope and passed it to me. Feverishly, I tore it open. There were two pages of handwritten chess notation inside.
"What does he say?" asked Jaz. I was still reading. A great light was starting to dawn.
"13... Qb6," I said at last. "It's like he's read my mind. All those lines I was worried about... he's got answers to every one of them. Black is fine. 13... Qb6 is the move." I turned to Boris and before I realised what I was doing I'd kissed him on the mouth. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"I am very happy to have been of assistance," Boris said gravely. "And now, I think we must finish our dinner before it gets cold."
We finished the spaghetti and the wonderful Château Lafite, and then we drank coffee and most of the bottle of armagnac I'd been saving for a special occasion while we continued to examine 13... Qb6. Every line held up. It was like a miracle. Around 1 am, Boris said he had to go. He had an important business meeting next day. Jaz waited until we could hear the lift had reached the bottom, and then she turned to me and threw her hands in the air.
"Girl," she said, in a tone of complete exasperation, "and you don't want to marry him? Are you crazy or something?"
Want to read
January 6, 2026apparently the author of this instructional guide to the Caro-Kann also writes chess erotica. I don't know how I haven't heard of or read that before, holy shit, how does that even happen??
I need a good defense as black. I'm really not used to being one move behind or playing against an opponent who's stronger than me, so my goal with this book is to improve that!
I need a good defense as black. I'm really not used to being one move behind or playing against an opponent who's stronger than me, so my goal with this book is to improve that!
February 16, 2024
I find Houska's presentation of material better than Cyrus' Lakadawala's in the Move By Move series. Her writing is just better--clear, succinct, and focused. The actual chess content leaves me with fewer questions, as I'm not wondering why something was played, or why was it explained a particular way only to have the example game not use what was just explained or to modify it in a way that was not explained.
I don't play the Caro-Kann but I do have to face it regularly, so I wanted to understand its ideas from black's perspective. As such, I focused mostly on the Panov-Botvinnik and the Fantasy variations.
It's odd, the way the Panov-Botvinnik is treated in both Lakadawala's and Houska's books, you'd think white has no good chances of gaining more than a draw, what with how simple the black strategies are; yet, I keep getting good wins out of it as white.
I don't play the Caro-Kann but I do have to face it regularly, so I wanted to understand its ideas from black's perspective. As such, I focused mostly on the Panov-Botvinnik and the Fantasy variations.
It's odd, the way the Panov-Botvinnik is treated in both Lakadawala's and Houska's books, you'd think white has no good chances of gaining more than a draw, what with how simple the black strategies are; yet, I keep getting good wins out of it as white.
November 2, 2018
This book is very well written and well organized ! I read it almost every night some pages. Everything is detailed and Jovanka always gives solutions for all the black’s problems. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone ! I didn’t finished yet. I’ll do a big review when I’ll finish it ! I really like this book like the author actually :)
(I’m sorry for my English , I’m not very good)
(I’m sorry for my English , I’m not very good)
January 2, 2022
I had the first of these books a long while back and found the update solid, clear, and reasonable.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews