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 7 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: Advance Variation
7 plies
Advance Variation, Prins Attack
7 plies
Advance Variation, Bayonet Attack
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.

  5. 3.e5

    Advances to e5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

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

  6. 3…Bf5

    Develops the bishop to f5, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

7 moves
Nc3Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack2 named lines · Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack, Dreyev DefenseDevelops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.b4Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Prins Attack1 named lineAdvances the b-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Prepare a fianchetto or discourage the opponent’s expansion on that wing.c3Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation1 named line · Caro-Kann Defense: Advance, Short VariationAdvances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.g4Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Bayonet Attack1 named lineAdvances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Prepare a fianchetto or discourage the opponent’s expansion on that wing.h4Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Tal Variation1 named lineAdvances the h-pawn to gain kingside edge space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.Ne2Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Bronstein Variation1 named lineDevelops the knight to e2, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.Nf3Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Short Variation1 named lineDevelops 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.