Opening name: Caro-Kann Defence
Opening line: 1. e4 c6
Lichess Board
Wikibooks Page
Winning percentages
White: 29064 (32.54%)
Black: 21734 (24.34%)
Draws: 38513 (43.12%)
Caro-Kann Defence
In choosing the Caro-Kann, Black gives up the centre in exchange for easier development. In contrast to the French, the queen's bishop is not blocked, but the c6 square is no longer available for the knight. Black often aims to let White's pawns overextend, or develop a poor structure, and take advantage in the endgame.
White's natural move is now 2. d4 as nothing prevents him from building a strong center. Bobby Fischer sometimes played 2. Nf3 followed by 3. Nc3.
Most popular responses
2. d4 (Caro-Kann Defence) According to the plan from the previous move Black will almost certainly play 2...d5. On rare occasions 2...g6 has been played. Lichess Analysis - Wikibooks (99114212 games)
2. Nf3 (Caro-Kann Defence) A fairly unusual move sometimes played by Bobby Fischer, it is almost always followed by d5, although rarely g6, and even d6, have been noted in master play. Lichess Analysis - Wikibooks (68667372 games)
2. d3 (Caro-Kann Defence, Breyer Variation) The unambitious Breyer Variation, black almost always responds with d5. Lichess Analysis - Wikibooks (7693865 games)
2. c4 (Caro-Kann Defence) Lichess Analysis - Wikibooks (5497527 games)
Engine Evaluation
Depth: 49
Score: +0.26
Best Move: Nc3
PV Line: 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. Nf3 e6
Historical games for Caro-Kann Defence
| Game | Result | Year |
| Carlsen, M. (2856) vs Firouzja, Alireza (2804) | 1-0 | 2021 |
| Ding, Liren (2791) vs Carlsen, Magnus (2863) | 1-0 | 2020 |
| Ding, Liren (2791) vs Carlsen, Magnus (2863) | 1/2-1/2 | 2020 |
| Carlsen, M. (2832) vs So, W. (2815) | 0-1 | 2017 |
| Carlsen, M. (2832) vs So, W. (2815) | 1-0 | 2017 |
| Carlsen, M. (2832) vs So, W. (2815) | 1-0 | 2017 |
| Carlsen, M. (2832) vs So, W. (2815) | 1/2-1/2 | 2017 |
| Carlsen, M. (2832) vs So, W. (2815) | 0-1 | 2017 |
| Carlsen, M. (2832) vs So, W. (2815) | 1-0 | 2017 |
| Carlsen, M.. (2847) vs Ding Liren (2799) | 1/2-1/2 | 2021 |