The Caro Kann defense is, without a doubt, a very solid opening choice. Black usually has a good counterplay and no pawn weaknesses. It has been a favoured openig for many top players, including Mikhail Bolvinnik, Garry Kasparov (in his younger years) and Anatoly Karpov. It is the latter in particular who championed the opening and it has become closely associated with the former World Champion. In two volumes, only available at the moment in Russian, Karpov gives the ultimate reference on the Caro Kann Defense, covering his own and many other games.