Caro-Kann Defence

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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.
Caro-Kann Defence
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 pd e7 pd f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 pd d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 pl f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 pl d2 pl e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Moves 1.e4 c6
ECO B10-B19
Origin Bruederschaft (journal), 1886
Named after Horatio Caro and Marcus Kann
Parent King's Pawn Game
Chessgames.com opening explorer

The Caro-Kann Defence is a common chess opening characterized by the moves:

1.e4 c6.

The usual continuation is

2.d4 d5

followed by 3.Nc3 (the Classical Variation), 3.Nd2 (the Classical Variation), 3.exd5 (the Exchange Variation), or 3.e5 (the Advance Variation). 2.Nc3 is the modern variation which has gained much popularity. The Caro-Kann, like the Sicilian Defence and French Defence, is classified as a "semi-open game", but it is thought to be more solid and less dynamic than either of those openings. It often leads to good endgames for black, who has the better pawn-structure.

The opening is named after the English player Horatio Caro and the Austrian Marcus Kann who analyzed the opening in 1886.

Contents

[edit] Classical / Capablanca Variation

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Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 e7 pd f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 pd d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 pd e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 pl e4 pl f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 nl d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 pl d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Classical / Capablanca Variation

The most common way of handling the Caro-Kann, the Classical Variation (often referred to as the Capablanca Variation after José Capablanca), follows with

1.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 (or 3.Nd2) dxe4
4.Nxe4 Bf5
5.Ng3 Bg6

This was long considered to represent best play for both sides in the Caro-Kann. White usually continues

6.h4 h6
7.Nf3 Nd7
8.h5 Bh7
9.Bd3 Bxd3
10.Qxd3

Although White's pawn on h5 looks ready to attack, it can prove to be a real weakness in an endgame (Schiller, 8)

Much of the Caro-Kann's reputation as a solid defence stems from this variation being so hard to crack. Black makes very few compromises in his pawn structure, and plays a timely c5 to contest the d4 square. Black has the options of castling queen-side, castling king-side, and even leaving his king in the center. Should things proceed to an endgame, Black often stands well thanks to his solid pawn structure and king-side pawn majority.

Here is a recent brilliancy illustrating White's attacking chances when the players castle on opposite sides in the Classical Variation: Lev Milman — Joseph Fang, Foxwoods Open, 2005[1] 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 (10...Qc7 avoids White's next) 11.Bf4 Bb4+ 12.c3 Be7 13.0-0-0 Ngf6 14.Kb1 0-0 15.Ne5 c5?! (15...Qa5 is usual and better) 16.Qf3 Qb6? (necessary was 16...cxd4 17.Rxd4 Nxe5 18.Bxe5 Qc8 19.Rhd1 Rd8 20.Ne4 with a small White advantage) 17.Nxd7 Nxd7 18.d5 exd5 19.Nf5! Bf6 20.Rxd5 Qe6 21.Bxh6 (21...gxh6 22.Rd6 Qe8 23.Rxf6 Nxf6 24.Qg3+ mates on g7) 21...Ne5 22.Qe4 Nc6 23.Qf3 Ne5? (23...gxh6 24.Rd6 Qe5 25.Nxh6+ Kg7 26.Nf5+ Kh7 with an unclear position) 24.Qe4 Nc6 25.Qg4! Qxd5 (25...Ne5 26.Rxe5 Qxe5 27.Bxg7 Bxg7 28.h6 wins) 26.Bxg7 Qd3+ 27.Ka1 Ne5 28.Ne7+!! Kh7 29.Qg6+!! fxg6 30.hxg6+ Kxg7 31.Rh7# (White is down a queen, a rook, and a bishop!) Notes based on Milman's much more extensive notes in July 2005 Chess Life, pp. 11-12.

[edit] Smyslov / Karpov variation

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Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 nd e7 pd f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 pd d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 pl e4 nl f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 pl d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Smyslov / Karpov Variation

Another solid positional line, this variation follows with the moves

1.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 (or 3.Nd2) dxe4
4.Nxe4 Nd7

Named after the first world champion Wilhelm Steinitz, and variously called the Smyslov Variation after the seventh world champion Vasily Smyslov and the Karpov Variation after the twelfth World Champion Anatoly Karpov. The short-term goal of 4...Nd7 is to ease development by the early exchange of a pair of Knights without compromising the structural integrity of his position. Play is similar to the Classical Variation except that Black has more freedom by delaying the development of his bishop, and is not forced to play it to the g6 square. However, this freedom comes at a cost as White enjoys added freedom in taking up space in the center, and often plays the aggressive 5.Ng5!? where Black's development is brought into question as well as the positional weakness of the f7-square. The famous last game of the Deep Blue-Garry Kasparov rematch where Kasparov committed a known blunder and lost was played in this very line.

[edit] Bronstein-Larsen variation and Korchnoi variation

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Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 e7 pd f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 pd d6 e6 f6 nd g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 pl e4 nl f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 pl d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Starting point

The Bronstein-Larsen variation and Korchnoi variation both begin with the following moves:

1.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 dxe4
4.Nxe4 Nf6!?
5.Nxf6
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 e7 pd f7 pd g7 h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 pd d6 e6 f6 pd g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 pl e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 pl d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Bronstein-Larsen variation (5...gxf6!?)

The Bronstein-Larsen variation arises after:

5...gxf6!?

Black has voluntarily opted for an inferior kingside pawn structure and a practical necessity of castling queenside, but also has some compensation in the form of the open g-file for the rook and unusually active play for the Caro-Kann. It is generally considered somewhat unsound, but former top-10 player Bent Larsen employed it with some success during the 1970s.

Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 e7 f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 pd d6 e6 f6 pd g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 pl e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 pl d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Korchnoi variation (5...exf6)

The Korchnoi variation arises after:

5...exf6

Viktor Korchnoi has played 5...exf6 many times (including in a world championship match). 5...exf6 is sounder than 5...gxf6!? of the Bronstein-Larsen Variation and offers Black rapid development.


[edit] Advance variation: 3...Bf5 and 3...c5

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Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 e7 pd f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 pd d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 pd e5 pl f5 bd g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 pl e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 pl d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Advance Variation with 3...Bf5

The 3...Bf5 variation that follows with

1e4 c6
2d4 d5
3.e5 Bf5

has gained popularity after having previously been widely regarded as inferior for many years, owing chiefly to the strategic demolition that Aron Nimzowitsch suffered at the hands of Jose Capablanca in one of their games at the New York 1927 tournament:

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Bd3?! [after the exchange of the light-squared Bishops, Black's play is based on White's light-squared weakness] 4...Bxd3 5.Qxd3 e6 6.Nc3 Qb6 7.Nge2 c5?! [7...Ne7 8.0-0 Qa6] 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.0–0 Ne7 10.Na4? [10.b4! Bxb4 (10...Qxb4 11.Nb5 Qa5 12.Be3 a6 13.Rab1 axb5 14.Bxc5 Nbc6 15.Rxb5 Qc7 16.Bd6 Qd7 17.Rfb1 Nd8 18.Rc5±) 11.Rb1 Qa5 12.Nb5= Moutousis-Cilia Vincenti, Thessalonika, 13.Nov.1988, 1-0] 10...Qc6 11.Nxc5 [11.Qg3 Nf5 12.Qb3 Nc6] 11...Qxc5 12.Be3 Qc7 13.f4 Nf5 14.c3 Nc6 15.Rad1 g6 16.g4 Nxe3 17.Qxe3 h5 18.g5 0–0 19.Nd4 Qb6 20.Rf2 Rfc8 21.a3 Rc7 22.Rd3 Na5 23.Re2 Re8 24.Kg2 Nc6 25.Red2 Rec8 26.Re2 Ne7 27.Red2 Rc4 28.Qh3 Kg7 29.Rf2 a5 30.Re2 Nf5 31.Nxf5+ gxf5 32.Qf3 Kg6 33.Red2 Re4 34.Rd4 Rc4 35.Qf2 Qb5 36.Kg3 Rcxd4 37.cxd4 Qc4 38.Kg2 b5 39.Kg1 b4 40.axb4 axb4 41.Kg2 Qc1 42.Kg3 Qh1 43.Rd3 Re1 44.Rf3 Rd1 45.b3 Rc1 46.Re3 Rf1 0–1 Nimzowitsch,Aron - Capablanca,Jose Raul [B12], New York New York (3), 1927. A strategic masterpiece which the great strategist in Aron Nimzowitsch, if not the player, must have admired.

The Advance Variation has since been revitalized by aggressive lines such as the Bayonet Attack {4.Nc3 e6 5.g4) favored by Latvian Grandmaster Alexei Shirov or the less ambitious variation (4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 c5 6.Be3) popularized by English Grandmaster Nigel Short. Modern chess practice appears to be demonstrating that 3...Bf5 may have more drawbacks for Black than advantages.

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Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 e7 pd f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 pd d5 pd e5 pl f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 pl e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 pl d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Advance variation with 3...c5

The 3...c5 variation that follows with

1.e4 c6
2.d4 d5
3.e5 c5!?

is an important alternative and avoids the weight of theory associated with 3...Bf5. It was used by Mikhail Botvinnik in his 1961 match vs. Mikhail Tal (though with a negative outcome for Botvinnik -- 2 draws and a loss). In comparison to the French defense, Black lacks the tempo normally spent on . . .e6. However, White can only exploit this by the weakening of his own central bind with 4. dxc5 when Black has good chances of regaining the pawn.

[edit] Exchange variation and Panov-Botvinnik Attack

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Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 e7 pd f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 pd e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 pl e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 pl d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Exchange Variation

The Exchange Variation is 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5.

Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 e7 pd f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 pd e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 pl d4 pl e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
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Panov-Botvinnik Attack

The Panov-Botvinnik Attack begins with the move 4.c4. It is named after Vasily Panov and the world champion Mikhail Botvinnik. This system often leads to typical isolated queen's pawn (IQP) positions, with White obtaining rapid development, a grip on e5, and kingside attacking chances to compensate for the long-term structural weakness of the isolated d4 pawn. The major variation in this line 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3, when Black's main alternatives are 6...Bb4 (a position characteristic of the Nimzo-Indian Defense) and 6...Be7 (the most popular). 6...Nc6?! is inferior as it is favorably met by 7.c5!, after which White plans on seizing the e5-square via the advance of his b-pawn to b5 or by exchanging the Black's Knight on c6 after Bb5.

Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 e7 pd f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 pd e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 pl e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 bl e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 pl d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Exchange Variation

The "true" Exchange Variation begins with 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3. White isn't thought to possess much of an advantage, although the line was tried by Bobby Fischer. Play is somewhat similar to the Queen's Gambit Exchange Variation (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5), colors reversed.

[edit] Other lines

Two Knights Variation: 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3, played by Bobby Fischer in his youth, where White's intention is to benefit from rapid development as well as to retain options regarding the d-pawn. Black's logical and probably best reply is 3...Bg4. after 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3, Black has 5...Nf6 or 5...e6.

Fantasy or Tartakower Variation: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3, which somewhat resembles the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. 3...e6 is probably the most solid response, preparing to exploit the dark squares via ...c5. Related to the Fantasy Variation are the gambits 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 (Stuart Milner-Berry), and 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.f3by 5.f3 (von Hennig).

Gurgenidze Variation: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 g6--it is because of this variation that some players believe 3.Nd2 is more accurate (White can then play c3 at some point), though 3...g6 is also playable after that move.

Hillbilly Attack: 1.e4 c6 2. Bc4?! This is often played by club players. Black can simply play the following: 2...d5 3. exd5 cxd5 thereby gaining a tempo on the Bishop.

Note that the Caro-Kann can sometimes be reached by transposition of moves from the English Opening: 1.c4 c6 2.e4 d5.

[edit] ECO codes

The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings has ten codes for the Caro-Kann Defence, B10 through B19:

  • B10 Hillbilly Attack, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.Bc4
  • B10 Modern; English Variation, Accelerated Panov; Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.c4
  • B10 Breyer Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d3
  • B10 Stein Attack, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 g6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Bg2 e5 6.Ngf3 Ne7 7.O-O O-O 8.b4
  • B10 Massachusetts Defense, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 f5
  • B10 Masi Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 Nf6
  • B10 Scorpion-Horus Gambit, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d3 dxe4 4.Bg5
  • B10 Goldman Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Qf3
  • B10 Two Knights Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3


  • B11 Two Knights Attack, Caro Kann 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3
  • B11 Mindeno Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4
  • B11 Retreat Line, Mindeno Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bh5


  • B12 Landau Gambit, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Bd3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 6.e6
  • B12 Mieses Gambit, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Be3
  • B12 Diemer-Duhm Gambit, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.c4
  • B12 Advance Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5
  • B12 Prins Attack, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.b4
  • B12 Bayonet Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.g4
  • B12 Tal Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4
  • B12 Van der Wiel Attack, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3
  • B12 Dreyev Defense, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3 Qb6
  • B12 Bronstein Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Ne2
  • B12 Short Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3
  • B12 Botvinnik-Carls Defense, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5
  • B12 Maroczy Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3
  • B12 Fantasy; Lilienfisch Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3
  • B12 Maroczy Gambit, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 dxe4 4.fxe4 e5 5.Nf3 exd4 6.Bc4
  • B12 Modern Variation, Caro-Kann-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2
  • B12 New Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 g6
  • B12 Edinburgh Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Qb6
  • B12 Ulysses Gambit, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nf3 dxe4 4.Ng5
  • B12 De Bruycker Defense, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 Na6
  • B12 Hector Gambit, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 dxe4 4.Ng5


  • B13 Rubinstein Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd3 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4
  • B13 Panov-Botvinnik, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4
  • B13 Panov-Botvinnik, Gedult-Gunderam Attack, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5. c5


  • B14 Carlsbad Line, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6
  • B14 Czerniak Line, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 Qa5
  • B14 Reifir-Spielmann Line, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 Qb6


  • B15 Gurgenidze Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 b5
  • B15 Von Hennig Gambit, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Bc4
  • B15 Milner-Barry Gambit, Rasa-Studier Gambit, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3
  • B15 Knight Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6
  • B15 Tarrasch (Alekhine) Gambit, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Bd3
  • B15 Tartakower Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6
  • B15 Forgacs Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6 6.Bc4
  • B15 Gurgenidze System, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 g6
  • B15 Gurgenidze Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 g6 4.e5 Bg7 5.f4 h5
  • B15 Campomanes Attack, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6


  • B16 Finnish Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 h6
  • B16 Nimzovich; Bronstein-Larsen, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ gxf6


  • B17 Karpov Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7
  • B17 Smyslov Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Bc4 Ngf6 6.Ng5 e6 7.Qe2 Nb6
  • B17 Tiviakov-Fischer Attack, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Bc4 Ngf6 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6
  • B17 Kasparov Attack, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Ng3
  • B17 Ivanchuk Defense, Caro Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Ng5 Ndf6


  • B18 Classical Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5
  • B18 Flohr Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nh3


  • B19 Seirawan Variation, Caro-Kann 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.e5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3

[edit] Trivia

1. In Frasier Season 3 Episode 18 (Chess Pains), Martin Crane beats Frasier for the first time when he accidentally stumbles into the Panov-Botvinnik attack.

[edit] Further reading

 Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
Wikibooks
Opening theory in chess has related information at
  • Play the Caro-Kann: A Complete Chess Opening Repertoire Against 1 e4, Jovanka Houska, Everyman Chess, ISBN : 1857444345, 2007, Paperback.
  • Grandmaster Secrets - The Caro-Kann, Peter Wells, Gambit Publications, ISBN : 1904600611, 2007, Paperback.
  • The ABC of the Caro Kann, Andrew Martin, ChessBase Publications, 2007, Fritz Trainer DVD.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Lev Milman vs Joseph Fang. ChessGames.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-18.