B12 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Caro-Kann Defense: Maróczy Variation

5/5
1.e4c62.d4d53.f3
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Caro-Kann Defense: Maróczy Variation2.1M games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
52%1.1M43%
19%398k48%
8.9%189k47%
5.4%115k48%
4.9%104k52%
3.5%74k52%
1.6%34k46%
1.3%29k45%
1.3%27k45%
0.7%14k42%
Famous games in this line2.5k master games
Duda, J. (2750)Carlsen, M. (2864)20220–1Caruana, Fabiano (2828)Firouzja, Alireza (2728)2020½–½Caruana, F. (2782)Anand, V. (2754)2023½–½Morozevich, Alexander (2750)Leko, Peter (2752)20090–1Gukesh, D. (2744)Anand, V. (2754)20231–0Erigaisi, Arjun (2801)Artemiev, V. (2691)20251–0Erigaisi, Arjun (2801)Artemiev, V. (2691)2025½–½Ivanchuk, Vassily (2739)Leko, Peter (2752)20090–1
Heroes of this opening Leko, Peter · Carlsen, M. · Gukesh, D. · Erigaisi, Arjun
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B12
Line
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3
Solid
Read the guide: Caro-Kann DefenseExplore all 110 Caro-Kann Defense lines
Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
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