ECO B18 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4

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

6… h6+0.32

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line (B18), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… h6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.32).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.326… h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bf4
  2. +0.726… h5 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 g6 10. Ng5 Qb6 11. Bf4
  3. +1.446… Nf6 7. h5 Bf5 8. Nxf5 Qa5+ 9. Bd2 Qxf5 10. Bd3 Qd7 11. Nf3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… h6 for Black, continuing 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bf4. White is slightly better (+0.32). The next best moves are 6… h5 (+0.72) and 6… Nf6 (+1.44).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line 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, Main Line?
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+).