B12

Caro-Kann Defense

1. e4 c6 2. d4

The position after 1. e4 c6 2. d4, Black to move.

In the Caro-Kann Defense, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.

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The Caro-Kann Defense is a chess opening classified under ECO code B12. It is reached after the moves 1. e4 c6 2. d4: 3 moves in, with Black to play.

Learn its typical plans and pawn structures rather than memorizing moves — that’s what holds up over the board.

Dozens of named variations branch from this position; the list at the end of the page goes one move deeper into each.

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Variations of the Caro-Kann Defense

Accelerated Panov Attack1. e4 c6 2. c4
Accelerated Panov Attack, Modern Variation1. e4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. cxd5 Nf6
Accelerated Panov Attack, Open Variation1. e4 c6 2. c4 e5
Accelerated Panov Attack, Pseudo-Scandinavian1. e4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5
Accelerated Panov Attack, Van Weersel Attack1. e4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Qb3
Apocalypse Attack1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Ne5
Breyer Variation1. e4 c6 2. d3
Breyer Variation, Stein Attack1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 g6 4. Ngf3 Bg7 5. g3 e5 6. Bg2 Ne7 7. O-O O-O 8. b4
Endgame Offer1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3
Endgame Variation1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 dxe4 4. dxe4 Qxd1+ 5. Kxd1
Euwe Attack1. e4 c6 2. b3
Goldman Variation1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Qf3
Hector Gambit1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Ng5
Hillbilly Attack1. e4 c6 2. Bc4
Hillbilly Attack, Schaeffer Gambit1. e4 c6 2. Bc4 d5 3. Bb3 dxe4 4. Qh5
Labahn Attack1. e4 c6 2. b4
Labahn Attack, Double Gambit1. e4 c6 2. b4 d5 3. b5
Labahn Attack, Polish Variation1. e4 c6 2. b4 e5 3. Bb2
Scorpion-Horus Gambit1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d3 dxe4 4. Bg5
Spike Variation1. e4 c6 2. g4
Spike Variation, Scorpion-Grob Gambit1. e4 c6 2. g4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. d3
St. Patrick's Attack1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. h3
Toikkanen Gambit1. e4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. e5
Two Knights Attack1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3
Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4
Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation, Exchange Line1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. h3 Bxf3
Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation, Retreat Line1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. h3 Bh5
Advance1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5
Advance Variation1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5
Advance Variation, Bayonet Attack1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. g4
Advance Variation, Botvinnik-Carls Defense1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5
Advance Variation, Bronstein Variation1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Ne2
Advance Variation, Prins Attack1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. b4
Advance Variation, Short Variation1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3
Advance Variation, Tal Variation1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. h4
Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3
Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack, Dreyev Defense1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3 Qb6
Advance, Short Variation1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. c3 e6 5. Be2
De Bruycker Defense1. e4 c6 2. d4 Na6
Edinburgh Variation1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Qb6

Related openings

Caro-Kann Defense Caro-Kann Defense Caro-Kann Defense Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Modern Variation Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Open Variation Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Pseudo-Scandinavian Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Van Weersel Attack Caro-Kann Defense: Apocalypse Attack

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