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The Caro-Slav Family

fen: 5k2/pp3ppp/2p1p3/8/3P4/8/PPP2PPP/4K3 b - - 2 26
id: -QEAIWKT

This is the caro structure, in which we have #pawns on e6 and c6, while white has an advanced central d pawn. We've traded an e pawn for d pawn in the caro, and a c pawn for d pawn in the slav.

In such positions, B is extremely solid but lacks space. Meanwhile, W has more space but trouble breaking through. In exchange though, W has critical holes on e5 and c5.

It's hard to contest those holes because both b6 and f6 create glaring weaknesses.

B has the hole on d5, but it is 1) less advanced, and 2) B doesn't have as many holes as W. B usually wants to change the structure via e5 and c5 in order to obtain more space.

Note the caro formation isnt restricted to the caro opening. It can arise from many different openings, and is critically characterized by a trade of the e pawn for the d pawn** with pawns on the 6th rank. Also it can be reversed sides - so i should be comfortable recognizing the structure rather than memorizing when it comes about.

The spatial inferiority can be fatal if black does not compete in the center

id: 0Nte6NNW

B threatens Qxg2 in order to control the center but is pretty late to the party. W has already solidified the center and developed all the minors. We see in the coming moves that developing the queen first when W's minors are already developed leads to intractable problems

fen: r1b2rk1/ppp2ppp/4pb2/3q4/3P1B2/P1PB4/1P3PPP/R2QK2R w KQ - 1 13
id: rlcSFIEx
  1. Qe2: even though it sacrifices g2, the priority is to maintain central control. e5 and c5 are B's two big breaks, and both are prevented. c5 is met by Be4, winning a pawn. We don't mind losing g2 because we ultimately pick up c7 after Qxg2 Be4 Qh3 Bxc7, leading to central domination.

B wants with all his heart to play e5 to free his LS bishop and open his rook, but W's active pieces make it impossible. 

fen: r3r1k1/pp1b1pbp/2p1p1p1/q3B3/3P4/P1PB4/1PQ2PPP/3RR1K1 w - - 2 19
id: Oeh05a-5

A couple moves later and W has the ideal setup. Active pieces, solid center, the centenial question is "now what?" Obviously, we go for their king! h4! Next we will rook lift and win.

White's d4-d5 plan

One powerful plan by W in caro structures is to shatter it with c2-c4 in order to gain control of d5. This is very rewarding if W is better developed. See Spassky vs O'kelly

fen: r3rbk1/ppqn1p1p/2p1pnp1/8/2PP4/1P1B1N2/PBQ2PPP/3RR1K1 w - - 0 16
id: nE5cHwqs

W has the bishop pair laser beams, encouraging W to open the center by d4-d5. B has a target on d4. Evidently, play centers around the d pawn, and control over d4/d5. B should consider doubling on the d file and pushing c5 to create holes for his knights.

W's plan to open lines on d5 need not be rushed, since there's no pressure on W's position at the moment. W has 3 steps to build potential energy with the advantage in space. 1) position LS bishop to support d5 1) this involved a pretty wild maneuver! Bf1-g3- Bg2 2) place rooks on the E file in preparation for the eventual break. 1) intuitively, i would want to place the rooks on the same file as the break! but in actuality there's no guarantee that a knight won't end up on d5 obstructing our rook's view.
4) bring the queen to the vulnerable a1-h8 diagonal.
1) notice the DS's around B's king are vulnerable. so the queen's force would be more noticeable on the dark squares
Even though these moves take a long time, our advantage in space allows us to take our time, so long as we're able to maintain our center.
In the game, we see clearly that W doesn't rush with the critical break. B has no moves and simply shuffles pieces back and forth.
In normal games, I've noticed if you simply mount your attack for long enough building tension, the opposite side will eventually get antsy and lash out. This happens in grandmaster games as well

fen: 3rrnk1/ppq2pb1/2p1p1p1/5n1p/2PP3P/1PB2NPB/PQ2RP2/4R1K1 w - - 8 27
id: 8rQJGySp

B's last move Nf5 was foolish. why? because it loosens the structure around d5. Bxf5! : The key move in the game that starts the snowball.
If exf5, then d5 is felt with more force
If gxf5, then B's king becomes exposed
After gxf5 d5 Bxc3 Qxc3 cxd5 Nd4 (with threat of Nxf5) Qd7, I wasn't sure what was appropriate. After analyzing I would've chosen cxd5 to open the file, but W finds c5
Why is c5 so strong? Conceptually, B's pieces are tied down defending the center (Nxf5 is a constant threat - not just to win a pawn but to threaten Qg7# thanks to the weak dark squares.) c5 initiates an attack on two fronts! we expand queenside, threatening to create a passer to take advantage of Games/Chess/Positional/Weak Pawns#The Principle of two weaknesses

We cover c5 more in the following section.

The c5 break

Black's most natural counterplay in the Caro is to trade the c-pawn for W's d-pawn. It's easier to achieve than B's other break on e5, since B usually has much greater control over c5 thanks to the DS bishop.

The c5 break frees B's minor pieces. It opens up the a8-h1 diagonal for the bishop. a trade of pawns via dxc5 gives B outposts on e5 and c5.

If W reinforces the d pawn with c2-c3, then cxd4 cxd4 gives B "an ideal blockading outpost at d5". since c4 is no longer possible for W.