Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6
8. Bd3+0.24
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation (B17), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Bd3 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.24).
Top engine moves
- +0.248. Bd3 h6 9. N5f3 c5 10. c3 Be7 11. dxc5 Nbd7 12. b4 a5
- +0.188. Bb3 a5 9. a3 c5 10. N1f3 h6 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. Ne4 Nxe4
- −0.398. N5f3 Nxc4 9. Qxc4 Qd5 10. Qe2 c5 11. Be3 b6 12. c4 Qe4
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Bd3 for White, continuing h6 9. N5f3 c5 10. c3 Be7 11. dxc5 Nbd7 12. b4 a5. The position is roughly equal (+0.24). The next best moves are 8. Bb3 (+0.18) and 8. N5f3 (−0.39).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.24: 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: Karpov Variation, Smyslov 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+).