ECO B17 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Main Line

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Ng5 Ngf6 6. Bd3 e6 7. N1f3 Bd6 8. Qe2 h6 9. Ne4 Nxe4 10. Qxe4

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

10… Qc7+0.49

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Main Line (B17), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Ng5 Ngf6 6. Bd3 e6 7. N1f3 Bd6 8. Qe2 h6 9. Ne4 Nxe4 10. Qxe4, Stockfish 18 recommends 10… Qc7 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.49).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.4910… Qc7 11. O-O b6 12. Qg4 Kf8 13. Re1 Bb7 14. b3 Nf6 15. Qh3
  2. +0.4910… c5 11. O-O Nf6 12. Qh4 cxd4 13. Nxd4 Bd7 14. Re1 Qa5 15. Nf3
  3. +0.5310… Nf6 11. Qh4 Nd5 12. Qg4 Qf6 13. O-O Bd7 14. Re1 Nb4 15. Be4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Main Line?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Ng5 Ngf6 6. Bd3 e6 7. N1f3 Bd6 8. Qe2 h6 9. Ne4 Nxe4 10. Qxe4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 10… Qc7 for Black, continuing 11. O-O b6 12. Qg4 Kf8 13. Re1 Bb7 14. b3 Nf6 15. Qh3. White is slightly better (+0.49). The next best moves are 10… c5 (+0.49) and 10… Nf6 (+0.53).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Main Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.49: 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, Modern Main Line?
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+).