B12 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black
Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation
5/5
1.e4c62.d4d53.e5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation21.7M games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
68%14.8M50%
4.9%1.1M47%
0.9%195k49%
0.7%161k41%
0.5%119k52%
0.3%66k53%
0.2%50k46%
0.2%46k52%
0.2%40k41%
Famous games in this line33k master games
Carlsen, M. (2856) – Firouzja, Alireza (2804)Carlsen, M. (2832) – So, W. (2815)Giri, A. (2782) – Carlsen, M. (2855)So, W.. (2770) – Carlsen, M.. (2862)So, W.. (2770) – Carlsen, M.. (2862)So, W.. (2770) – Carlsen, M.. (2862)Caruana, F. (2822) – Mamedyarov, S. (2801)Caruana, F. (2777) – Carlsen, M. (2837)Heroes of this opening Carlsen, M.. · So, W.. · Mamedyarov, S.
- Family
- Caro-Kann Defense
- Category
- Semi-Open
- First move
- 1.e4
- ECO
- B12
- Line
- 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5
Solid
★ Read the guide: Caro-Kann DefenseExplore all 110 Caro-Kann Defense lines →Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Botvinnik-Carls DefenseB12 3…c5Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Prins AttackB12 3…Bf5 4.b4Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Tal VariationB12 3…Bf5 4.h4Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Bayonet AttackB12 3…Bf5 4.g4
Nearby lines in the family
From the archives
Named for Horatio Caro and Marcus Kann in the 1880s, the Caro-Kann became the fortress of positional world champions — Capablanca, Petrosian, Karpov. Its promise: Black gets the French's solidity WITHOUT burying the light-squared bishop. Slow, sound, and infuriating to attack.
Study this opening