ECO B10 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Hector Gambit

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Ng5

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

4… e5−0.30

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Hector Gambit (B10), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Ng5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… e5 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.30).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.304… e5 5. h4 h6 6. Ngxe4 Be6 7. b3 Nd7 8. Bb2 Qe7 9. a4
  2. −0.054… e6 5. h4 Be7 6. Ngxe4 c5 7. Bb5+ Kf8 8. d3 a6 9. Ba4
  3. −0.034… Bf5 5. Ngxe4 Nf6 6. Nxf6+ exf6 7. d4 Bb4 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Hector Gambit?
After 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Ng5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… e5 for Black, continuing 5. h4 h6 6. Ngxe4 Be6 7. b3 Nd7 8. Bb2 Qe7 9. a4. Black is slightly better (−0.30). The next best moves are 4… e6 (−0.05) and 4… Bf5 (−0.03).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Hector Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.30: black 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: Hector Gambit?
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+).