ECO B15 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Gurgenidze Counterattack

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 b5

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

4. e5+0.80

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Gurgenidze Counterattack (B15), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 b5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. e5 for White. White is clearly better (+0.80).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.804. e5 e6 5. Bd3 b4 6. Nce2 c5 7. c3 bxc3 8. bxc3 cxd4
  2. +0.654. exd5 b4 5. Na4 cxd5 6. Nc5 e6 7. a3 bxa3 8. Rxa3 Nf6
  3. +0.624. a3 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Nf6 6. Nxf6+ exf6 7. Bd3 Qxd4 8. Nf3 Qd6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Gurgenidze Counterattack?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 b5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. e5 for White, continuing e6 5. Bd3 b4 6. Nce2 c5 7. c3 bxc3 8. bxc3 cxd4. White is clearly better (+0.80). The next best moves are 4. exd5 (+0.65) and 4. a3 (+0.62).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Gurgenidze Counterattack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.80: white is clearly 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: Gurgenidze Counterattack?
B15. 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+).