ECO B10 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Goldman Variation

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Qf3

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

3… d4−0.05

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Goldman Variation (B10), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Qf3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… d4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.05).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.053… d4 4. Bc4 e6 5. Nce2 c5 6. a4 Nf6 7. d3 Nc6 8. Qg3
  2. −0.013… e5 4. exd5 Nf6 5. Bc4 Be7 6. d3 O-O 7. Bb3 a5 8. a4
  3. +0.013… g6 4. exd5 Nf6 5. Bc4 Bg4 6. Qf4 Bg7 7. d3 O-O 8. h3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Goldman Variation?
After 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Qf3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… d4 for Black, continuing 4. Bc4 e6 5. Nce2 c5 6. a4 Nf6 7. d3 Nc6 8. Qg3. The position is roughly equal (−0.05). The next best moves are 3… e5 (−0.01) and 3… g6 (+0.01).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Goldman Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.05: 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: Goldman Variation?
B10. 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+).