Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c6/2. d4/2...d5

Caro–Kann Defence
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3p4/3PP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR w
Moves: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5
ECO code: B12-B19
Parent: King's Pawn Opening

Caro–Kann Defence

2...d5

This is the main line of the Caro–Kann. It is a semi-open game that tends to contain lines with minor piece play. In this position, White has four ways to deal with the central tension:

1. Attempt to close the center with 3. e5, the Advance Variation.
2. Exchange a set of pawns with 3. exd5.
3. Wait for Black to exchange pawns with either 3. Nc3 or 3. Nd2, the Classical Variation. The two knight moves usually lead to the same position after 3...dxe4 4. Nxe4.
4. Prepare to recapture in the center with a pawn by 3. f3, aiming to keep a full pawn center.

Note that after 3. Bd3?!, 3... dxe4 4. Bxe4 Nf6 gives Black the initiative.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5

	3	4	5
Advance Variation	e5 Bf5	Nf3 e6	Be2 Nd7	=
Classical Variation	Nc3/Nd2 dxe4	Nxe4 Bf5	Ng3 Bg6	=
Karpov Variation	... ...	... Nd7	Nf3 Ngf6	=
Tartakower/Korchnoi Variation	... ...	... Nf6	Nxf6+ exf6	=
Bronstein–Larsen Variation	... ...	... ...	... gxf6	+=
Exchange Variation	exd5 cxd5	Bd3 Nc6	c3 Nf6	=
Panov-Botvinnik Attack	... ...	c4 Nf6	Nc3 e6	=
Fantasy Variation	f3 dxe4	fxe4 e5	Nf3 Bg4	=

References

• Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.

• Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. 1999. Nick de Firmian, Walter Korn. ISBN 0-8129-3084-3.

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.