Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation, Main Line
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6 8. Bb3
8… h6+0.15
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation, Main Line (B17), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6 8. Bb3, Stockfish 18 recommends 8… h6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.15).
Top engine moves
- +0.158… h6 9. N5f3 a5 10. a4 c5 11. Be3 Nbd5 12. O-O-O Qc7 13. Ne5
- +0.288… a5 9. c3 Nbd5 10. a3 b5 11. N1f3 h6 12. Ne4 Nxe4 13. Qxe4
- +0.478… Nbd5 9. Bd2 a5 10. c4 a4 11. Bd1 h6 12. N5f3 Ne7 13. Bc2
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation, Main Line?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6 8. Bb3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8… h6 for Black, continuing 9. N5f3 a5 10. a4 c5 11. Be3 Nbd5 12. O-O-O Qc7 13. Ne5. The position is roughly equal (+0.15). The next best moves are 8… a5 (+0.28) and 8… Nbd5 (+0.47).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation, Main Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.15: 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, 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+).