ECO B18 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng5 Bg6 6. N1f3 h6 7. Ne6

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

7… fxe6−0.74

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit (B18), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng5 Bg6 6. N1f3 h6 7. Ne6, Stockfish 18 recommends 7… fxe6 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.74).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.747… fxe6 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 Qa5+ 10. Bd2 Qf5 11. Qb3 b5 12. O-O
  2. +0.957… Qd6 8. Nxf8 Kxf8 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. O-O Ne7 12. a4
  3. +1.247… Qc8 8. Nxf8 Kxf8 9. Ne5 Be4 10. f3 Bf5 11. Bc4 Be6 12. O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng5 Bg6 6. N1f3 h6 7. Ne6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7… fxe6 for Black, continuing 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 Qa5+ 10. Bd2 Qf5 11. Qb3 b5 12. O-O. Black is slightly better (−0.74). The next best moves are 7… Qd6 (+0.95) and 7… Qc8 (+1.24).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.74: black 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: Martian Gambit?
B18. 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+).