ECO B18 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5

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

5. Ng3+0.32

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation (B18), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Ng3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.32).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.325. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3
  2. +0.195. Qf3 e6 6. Ne2 Bxe4 7. Qxe4 Nf6 8. Qf3 Qd5 9. Qxd5 cxd5
  3. +0.045. Nc3 e6 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. Bd3 Bxd3 8. Qxd3 Qc7 9. Ne4 Nbd7

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Ng3 for White, continuing Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3. White is slightly better (+0.32). The next best moves are 5. Qf3 (+0.19) and 5. Nc3 (+0.04).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.32: 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: Classical Variation?
B18. 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+).