B17 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Variation, Ivanchuk Defense

10/10
1.e4c62.d4d53.Nd2dxe44.Nxe4Nd75.Ng5Ndf6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Variation, Ivanchuk Defense5.8k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
40%2.3k55%
30%1.8k62%
24%1.4k54%
2.6%15148%
1.9%11259%
0.4%2245%
0.3%1527%
0.2%1217%
0.2%1020%
0.1%60%
Famous games in this line133 master games
Shirov, Alexei (2710) – Ivanchuk, Vassily (2740)19980–1Adams, Michael (2715) – Seirawan, Yasser (2647)2000½–½Huebner, Robert (2595) – Karpov, Anatoly (2715)1988½–½De Firmian, Nick E (2560) – Karpov, Anatoly (2730)19900–1Spassky, Boris V (2565) – Karpov, Anatoly (2715)19880–1Smirnov, Pavel (2635) – Bocharov, Dmitry (2617)20131–0Nunn, John DM (2615) – Tal, Mihail (2630)19881–0Sokolov, Andrei (2595) – Spraggett, Kevin (2580)1988½–½
Heroes of this opening Karpov, Anatoly · Ivanchuk, Vassily · Smirnov, Pavel · Nunn, John DM
Family
Caro-Kann Defense
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B17
Line
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Ng5 Ndf6
Solid
★ Read the guide: Caro-Kann DefenseExplore all 110 Caro-Kann Defense lines →
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Nearby lines in the family
Caro-Kann Defense: Tartakower VariationB15 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6 exf6Caro-Kann Defense: Bronstein-Larsen VariationB16 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6 gxf6Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern DefenseB13 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6
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.

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