Caro-Kann Defense B10
B — Semi-open games · Family: Caro-Kann Defense
1. e4 c6
The Caro-Kann Defense (1.e4 c6) supports the central break ...d5 with a second pawn — the same idea as the French, but without burying the light-squared bishop. The result is one of the most solid and endgame-friendly replies to 1.e4, trusted by world champions from Capablanca to Karpov and Anand.
White's choices define the character: the Classical (3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3) leads to balanced maneuvering, the Advance Variation (3.e5) to a strategic battle around the c5 and d5 levers, the Karpov Variation with a modest Bf1-d3 setup to slow probing, and the Exchange to a famously drawish but not dead structure. Black's typical assets are a healthy pawn structure, accurate endgames and long-term flexibility.
Play through the moves on the board above, explore the variations tree below — click any move of any branch — then test yourself against the engine from the position you picked.
- Position after 2 half-moves — White to move.
- Material is balanced.
- Family “Caro-Kann Defense” contains 110 recorded variation(s) here.
Variations tree of the Caro-Kann Defense family
Click any move to jump to that position; switch branches at any point with the alternative moves. Test your knowledge plays the shown position against the engine.
Variations of this family
| Name | ECO | Main line length |
|---|---|---|
| Caro-Kann Defense | B10 | 3 plies |
| Caro-Kann Defense | B10 | 4 plies |
| Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack | B10 | 3 plies |
| Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack | B10 | 4 plies |
| Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Modern Variation | B10 | 8 plies |
| Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Open Variation | B10 | 4 plies |
| Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Pseudo-Scandinavian | B10 | 6 plies |
| Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Van Weersel Attack | B10 | 7 plies |
| Caro-Kann Defense: Apocalypse Attack | B10 | 7 plies |
| Caro-Kann Defense: Breyer Variation | B10 | 3 plies |
| Caro-Kann Defense: Breyer Variation, Stein Attack | B10 | 15 plies |
| Caro-Kann Defense: Dinic Gambit | B10 | 7 plies |
Related puzzles
Lichess tactics played in this opening — solve them right on the board:
Related openings
Nearby ECO codes in the B — Semi-open games volume — compare the move orders: