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 8 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.

  3. 2.d4

    Advances to d4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  4. 2…d5

    Advances to d5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

8 moves
Nd2Caro-Kann Defense: Modern Variation19 named lines · Caro-Kann Defense: Main Line · Caro-Kann Defense: Martian GambitDevelops the knight to d2, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.exd5Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation14 named lines · Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack · Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Main LineCaptures the pawn on d5 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.Idea: Open lines in the center and reshape the center for the next phase.Nc3Caro-Kann Defense13 named lines · Caro-Kann Defense: Alien Gambit · Caro-Kann Defense: Alekhine GambitDevelops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.e5Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation10 named lines · Caro-Kann Defense: Advance, Short Variation · Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Prins AttackAdvances to e5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.f3Caro-Kann Defense: Maróczy Variation2 named lines · Caro-Kann Defense: Maróczy Variation, Maróczy GambitAdvances the f-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.Bd3Caro-Kann Defense1 named line · Caro-Kann Defense: Mieses Attack, Landau GambitDevelops the bishop to d3, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.Be3Caro-Kann Defense: Mieses Gambit1 named lineDevelops the bishop to e3, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.Nf3Caro-Kann Defense1 named line · Caro-Kann Defense: Ulysses GambitDevelops the knight to f3, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

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.