Semi-open games

Caro-Kann Defense

1.e4 c6

The Caro-Kann Defense starts with 1.e4 c6 and is catalogued under ECO B10, in the semi-open games half of the book. The catalog indexes 110 lines inside it, grouped into 92 named variations, and the position after those moves has 9 playable continuations to walk from here.

Opening repertoire map

Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.

Current position
Caro-Kann Defense
Popularity by Elo
Share of Lichess blitz, rapid, and classical games that continued with each move.
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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.e4

    Claims the center with a pawn and opens lines for the queen and king’s bishop.

    Idea: Build quick development and make early castling possible.

  2. 1…c6

    Prepares ...d5 while keeping the light-squared bishop’s diagonal open.

    Idea: Challenge the center with a sound pawn structure and good endgame prospects.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

9 moves
d4Caro-Kann Defense64 named lines · Caro-Kann Defense: Main Line · Caro-Kann Defense: Alien GambitAdvances to d4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.Nc3Caro-Kann Defense9 named lines · Caro-Kann Defense: Hector Gambit · Caro-Kann Defense: Goldman VariationDevelops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.c4Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack6 named lines · Caro-Kann Defense: Toikkanen Gambit · Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Open VariationAdvances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.Nf3Caro-Kann Defense4 named lines · Caro-Kann Defense: Dinic Gambit · Caro-Kann Defense: Endgame OfferDevelops the knight to f3, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.b4Caro-Kann Defense: Labahn Attack3 named lines · Caro-Kann Defense: Labahn Attack, Double Gambit · Caro-Kann Defense: Labahn Attack, Polish VariationAdvances the b-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Prepare a fianchetto or discourage the opponent’s expansion on that wing.Bc4Caro-Kann Defense: Hillbilly Attack2 named lines · Caro-Kann Defense: Hillbilly Attack, Schaeffer GambitDevelops the bishop to c4, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.d3Caro-Kann Defense: Breyer Variation2 named lines · Caro-Kann Defense: Breyer Variation, Stein AttackAdvances to d3 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.g4Caro-Kann Defense: Spike Variation2 named lines · Caro-Kann Defense: Spike Variation, Scorpion-Grob GambitAdvances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Prepare a fianchetto or discourage the opponent’s expansion on that wing.b3Caro-Kann Defense: Euwe Attack1 named lineAdvances the b-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under Caro-Kann Defense. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

68 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.

Openings from the same volume

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Caro-Kann Defense.