ECO B15 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Main Line

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

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

4… Nf6+0.36

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Main Line (B15), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.36).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.364… Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. c3 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Ne2 Re8 9. Qc2
  2. +0.394… Nd7 5. Ng3 Ngf6 6. Nf3 e6 7. Bd3 Be7 8. O-O c5 9. c3
  3. +0.434… g6 5. Bc4 Nf6 6. Nxf6+ exf6 7. Qe2+ Qe7 8. Bd2 Qxe2+ 9. Nxe2

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Main Line?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black, continuing 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. c3 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Ne2 Re8 9. Qc2. White is slightly better (+0.36). The next best moves are 4… Nd7 (+0.39) and 4… g6 (+0.43).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Main Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.36: 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: Main Line?
B15. 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+).