ECO B12 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Mieses Gambit

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Be3

abcdefgh87654321
Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3… dxe4−0.62

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Mieses Gambit (B12), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Be3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… dxe4 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.62).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.623… dxe4 4. Ne2 Bf5 5. Ng3 e6 6. Nxf5 exf5 7. g4 Nd7 8. gxf5
  2. +0.033… Qb6 4. Nd2 Nf6 5. Bd3 Nxe4 6. Nxe4 dxe4 7. Bxe4 Qxb2 8. Nf3
  3. +0.373… h6 4. Nd2 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bf5 6. Ng3 Bh7 7. Bd3 Bxd3 8. Qxd3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Mieses Gambit?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Be3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… dxe4 for Black, continuing 4. Ne2 Bf5 5. Ng3 e6 6. Nxf5 exf5 7. g4 Nd7 8. gxf5. Black is slightly better (−0.62). The next best moves are 3… Qb6 (+0.03) and 3… h6 (+0.37).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Mieses Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.62: 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: Mieses Gambit?
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+).