ECO B19 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Spassky Variation

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5

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

8… Bh7+0.36

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Spassky Variation (B19), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5, Stockfish 18 recommends 8… Bh7 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.36).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.368… Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bf4 Qa5+ 12. Bd2 Bb4 13. c3
  2. +1.428… Bf5 9. Nxf5 Qa5+ 10. Bd2 Qxf5 11. Bd3 Qe6+ 12. Kf1 Qd6 13. Rh4
  3. +3.558… Bxc2 9. Qxc2 e6 10. Ne4 Ngf6 11. Nxf6+ Nxf6 12. Bd3 Be7 13. Be3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Spassky Variation?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8… Bh7 for Black, continuing 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bf4 Qa5+ 12. Bd2 Bb4 13. c3. White is slightly better (+0.36). The next best moves are 8… Bf5 (+1.42) and 8… Bxc2 (+3.55).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Spassky Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.36: 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, Spassky Variation?
B19. 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+).