Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5
3… cxd5+0.21
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation (B13), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… cxd5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.21).
Top engine moves
- +0.213… cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Nf6 6. Bf4 Bg4 7. Qb3 Qd7 8. Nd2
- +0.573… Qa5+ 4. c3 cxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bd3 Bg4 7. O-O e6 8. Bf4
- +0.693… Qxd5 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. c4 Qa5+ 6. Nc3 Bf5 7. Be2 e6 8. Nh4
Other move orders
- 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5
- 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bf4
- 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Nf3 Nc6
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… cxd5 for Black, continuing 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Nf6 6. Bf4 Bg4 7. Qb3 Qd7 8. Nd2. The position is roughly equal (+0.21). The next best moves are 3… Qa5+ (+0.57) and 3… Qxd5 (+0.69).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.21: the position is roughly equal. 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: Exchange Variation?
B13. 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+).