ECO B12 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Short Variation

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4… e6+0.33

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Short Variation (B12), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… e6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.33).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.334… e6 5. c3 c5 6. Bb5+ Nd7 7. O-O a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bc2
  2. +0.554… a6 5. Be2 e6 6. O-O Ne7 7. Nbd2 h6 8. c3 Nd7
  3. +0.644… h5 5. Bd3 Bxd3 6. Qxd3 e6 7. O-O Nh6 8. b3 Be7 9. c4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Short Variation?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… e6 for Black, continuing 5. c3 c5 6. Bb5+ Nd7 7. O-O a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bc2. White is slightly better (+0.33). The next best moves are 4… a6 (+0.55) and 4… h5 (+0.64).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Short Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.33: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Short Variation?
B12. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).