Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c6/2. d4/2...d5/3. Nc3/3...dxe4/4. Nxe4

Caro-Kann Defence:Classical Variation
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/2p5/8/3PN3/8/PPP2PPP/R1BQKBNR b
Moves: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4

Caro-Kann Defence:Classical Variation

4. Nxe4 is an obvious recapture. Black has 3 main alternatives. The Classical Variation, 4...Bf5, usually sees the bishop controlling the light diagonal from g6. The Smyslov/Karpov variation delays the development of the light bishop, with Nd7, while Nf6 risks doubled pawns for an open file. None of the other alternatives have seen significant usage.

	4	5	6	7
Classical Variation	Nxe4 Bf5	Ng3 Bg6	h4 h6	Nf3 Nd7	=
Smyslov/Karpov Variation	... Nd7	Bc4 Ngf6	Ng5 e6	Qe2 Nb6	=
	... Nf6	Nxf6+ gxf6	c3 Bf5	Nf3 Nd7	=
	... e6	Nf3 Nd7	c4 Ngf6	Bg5 Qb6	=
	... g6	Nf3 Bg7	h3 Bf5	Ng3 Be6	=
	... h6	Nf3 Bf5	Ng3 Bh7	Bd3 Bxd3	+=
	... e5	Nf3 exd4	Qxd4 Qxd4	Nxd4 Nd7	+=
	... Qd5	Nc3 Qa5	Nf3 Nf6	Bc4 Bf5	+=
	... Qc7	Bd3 Bf5	Nf3 Nd7	0-0 e6	+=
	... f6	Nf3			+=

References

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