ECO B16 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Finnish Variation

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 h6

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

5. Nf3+0.53

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Finnish Variation (B16), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 h6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nf3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.53).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.535. Nf3 Bf5 6. Ng3 Bh7 7. Bd3 Bxd3 8. Qxd3 e6 9. O-O Nf6
  2. +0.525. Bd3 Bf5 6. Nc5 Bxd3 7. Qxd3 Qc7 8. Qb3 b6 9. Ne4 Nd7
  3. +0.465. Ng3 Nf6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Nf3 c5 8. Be3 Nc6 9. O-O cxd4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Finnish Variation?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 h6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nf3 for White, continuing Bf5 6. Ng3 Bh7 7. Bd3 Bxd3 8. Qxd3 e6 9. O-O Nf6. White is slightly better (+0.53). The next best moves are 5. Bd3 (+0.52) and 5. Ng3 (+0.46).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Finnish Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.53: 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: Finnish Variation?
B16. 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+).