So I normally gambit against the Caro Kann with 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. f3, which is similar to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, and sometimes even transposes into it. But I don't want to continue playing unsound gambits as I play tougher opponents who know how to handle them. And since the CK is the normal opening played by a 1900 player at my local club (who clobbered me the last time I tried that gambit against him), I want to have something sounder prepared against this opening. And I'm playing in the U2100 section of a major tournament this weekend, so I'm more likely to see this opening than against the weaker opponents I normally face.

I was thinking I'd probably just go with the Exchange variation, hoping for an open game with active piece play and attacking possibilities. Any suggestions for web sites that give info on the typical piece placement and middle game strategies that normally go with this line? Or any suggestions for other lines that you'd recommend instead that don't take intense amount of time preparing for?

--Fromper

If you can read the Best Lessons of a chess coach by sunil, i suggest you read the part of s.weeramantry vs tamarkin, he has an instructive annotation there using the exchange variation against the caro, fischer also used to play the exchange variation, the common idea in the exchange is the control of e5 and placing a knight on it, here is the few moves of that game

weeramantry vs tamarkin

1.e4 c6
3. d4 d5
3.exd5 cxd5
4.Bd3 Nc6
5. c3 Nf6
6. Bf4 Bg4
7.Qb3 Qc8
8.Nd2 e6
9. Ngf3 Be7
10. 0-0 Bh5
11. Qc2 Bg6
12. Bxg6 hxg6
13. Rae1 0-0
14. Qd3 Nh5
15, Bg5 Qd8
16. Qe3 Bxg5
17. Nxg5 Qfc
18.f4 Qe7
19.g4

white's initiative is building up

Hmm, I've not put it (CKD) on my priority list for revision. I used to play the Fantasy Variation (I transposed at times into the Rasa-Studier that Fromper mentions). Nowadays I just go for mainline business.

If you like IQP positions, the Panov-Botvinnik attack is a great choice. 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.ed cd 4.c4.

I really don't know much about how to play IQP positions, though I've recently taken up several openings that should theoretically lead to them. But at my level, my opponents as white don't play properly against the Tarrasch Defense, so we never actually reach that "typical" pawn structure.

For this tournament, I might stick to the line that doesn't have the IQP (4. Bd3), just because I really don't know what I'm doing and don't have time to learn before this weekend.

--Fromper

the line I play against the Caro-kann is the following: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4! h6 7.Nf3 Nd7(Black must protect e5otherwise the knight will exert pressure on the black territory) 8.h5 Bh7 and white has a good game.

Excuse me, but the game has yet to 'start' after that.

oops i missed a few moves sorry about that

you may be intrigued by 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Bd3

There are also players who plays these caro lines

1.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 (or 3.Nd2) dxe4
4.Nxe4 Nd7

and this

1.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 dxe4
4.Nxe4 Nf6!?
5.Nxf6

so i think if you don't have time to prepare, sticking with exchange variation will be practical, cause at least you don't have to deals with the lines i mentioned,

the thing with exchange is the knight at c3 will be bring at the kingside hence, white plays c3 to strengthen the hold at d4, a well timed f and g pawn to attack black's king is a common thing in the exchange variation