ECO B12 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Massachusetts Defense

1. e4 c6 2. d4 f5

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

3. exf5+1.80

White is winning. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Massachusetts Defense (B12), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 f5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. exf5 for White. White is winning (+1.80).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.803. exf5 Qa5+ 4. Nc3 d6 5. g4 h5 6. f3 e5 7. Qe2 Be7
  2. +1.193. Nc3 d5 4. e5 e6 5. Be3 Bb4 6. Bd2 a6 7. Na4 Bxd2+
  3. +1.093. e5 d6 4. Qe2 e6 5. Nc3 Qb6 6. g4 dxe5 7. gxf5 exf5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Massachusetts Defense?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 f5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. exf5 for White, continuing Qa5+ 4. Nc3 d6 5. g4 h5 6. f3 e5 7. Qe2 Be7. White is winning (+1.80). The next best moves are 3. Nc3 (+1.19) and 3. e5 (+1.09).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Massachusetts Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.80: white is winning. 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: Massachusetts Defense?
B12. 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+).