ECO B16 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Bronstein-Larsen Variation

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ gxf6

abcdefgh87654321
White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

6. Nf3+0.89

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Bronstein-Larsen Variation (B16), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ gxf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Nf3 for White. White is clearly better (+0.89).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.896. Nf3 Bf5 7. Bd3 e6 8. O-O Bg6 9. c3 Nd7 10. Re1 Bg7
  2. +0.886. Be2 Rg8 7. g3 Na6 8. c3 Nc7 9. Nf3 Bg4 10. h3 Be6
  3. +0.856. c3 h5 7. Nf3 Bg4 8. a4 h4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Qd5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Bronstein-Larsen Variation?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ gxf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Nf3 for White, continuing Bf5 7. Bd3 e6 8. O-O Bg6 9. c3 Nd7 10. Re1 Bg7. White is clearly better (+0.89). The next best moves are 6. Be2 (+0.88) and 6. c3 (+0.85).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Bronstein-Larsen Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.89: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Caro-Kann Defense: Bronstein-Larsen Variation?
B16. 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+).