ECO B12 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Edinburgh Variation

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Qb6

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

4. Ngf3+0.75

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Edinburgh Variation (B12), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Qb6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Ngf3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.75).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.754. Ngf3 Bg4 5. c3 e6 6. a4 Nd7 7. Bd3 a5 8. O-O dxe4
  2. +0.754. c3 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Nd7 6. Nf3 Ngf6 7. Ng3 e6 8. Bd3 c5
  3. +0.554. c4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Nf6 6. c5 Qb4+ 7. Nc3 e5 8. dxe5 Nd5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Edinburgh Variation?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Qb6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Ngf3 for White, continuing Bg4 5. c3 e6 6. a4 Nd7 7. Bd3 a5 8. O-O dxe4. White is slightly better (+0.75). The next best moves are 4. c3 (+0.75) and 4. c4 (+0.55).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Edinburgh Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.75: 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: Edinburgh 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+).