Caro-Kann Defense

I thought I'd kick off this thing by discussing my favourite opening with the black pieces. The Caro-Kann defense is a super-solid opening that appeals to positional players and endgame specialists. I am no good in the endgame, but I feel strongly positionally rooted. Before I begin the discussion, I would like to address the question: "How do you choose an opening if you are just starting out?".
I have no definite answer, yet to choose an opening for black I can suggest that you first pick a first move with white. Either 1.e4 or 1.d4. Once you have chosen, look at all the main defences to that move. For e4, see the Sicilian, the Ruy Lopez, the French, the Caro-Kann, the Petroff, and the Scandanavian. Of course there are other choices, but I believe beginners benefit most fromm understanding the mainline openings. Choose one that has an appealing look or pawn structure, and run with it. Keep playing it no matter your results, stick to it and you will start to get a sense for the ideas involved.
So, back to the Caro-Kann. The idea of the Caro-Kann (1.e4 c6) is to prepare 2... d5 to counter-attack in the centre. This plan is flexible, because it starts the formation of a strong pawn structure, and it allows for the light-square bishop to move, unlike the French. The most common way the game proceeds in the Caro-Kann is 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3(supporting the pawn) dxe4 4.Nxe4. The initial feel of the position is that white has much more control of the game, so I play here 4... Bf5(the Cappablanca variatrion) This kicks the Knight from the centre, and develops a pice. After this move, black should prepare to be stifled on the kingside by white's plan of h4 and h5 eventually attacking the light bishop, butblack has the better pawn structure and should head to the endgame through sound piece exchanges.
If my overview has not satisfied you, great! This shows that you have a thirst for learning about chess. I encourage you check out an opening database for more information.
"Without error there can be no brilliancy" (Emmanuel Lasker)