ECO B17 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7

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

5. Nf3+0.47

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation (B17), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nf3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.47).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.475. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Ng3 e6 7. Bd3 c5 8. O-O cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nc5
  2. +0.415. Ng3 Ngf6 6. Nf3 e6 7. Bd3 Be7 8. O-O c5 9. Qe2 O-O
  3. +0.335. Bd3 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. N1f3 Bd6 8. O-O h6 9. Ne4 Nxe4

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nf3 for White, continuing Ngf6 6. Ng3 e6 7. Bd3 c5 8. O-O cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nc5. White is slightly better (+0.47). The next best moves are 5. Ng3 (+0.41) and 5. Bd3 (+0.33).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.47: 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: Karpov Variation?
B17. 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+).