ECO B12 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Modern Variation

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2

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

3… dxe4+0.31

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Modern Variation (B12), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… dxe4 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.31).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.313… dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. Bc4 Be7 7. Ne2 Na6 8. O-O
  2. +0.553… Qc7 4. Bd3 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bf5 6. Qe2 Bxe4 7. Qxe4 Nf6 8. Qh4
  3. +0.593… a5 4. Ngf3 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Nf6 6. Bd3 Nxe4 7. Bxe4 g6 8. c3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Modern Variation?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… dxe4 for Black, continuing 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. Bc4 Be7 7. Ne2 Na6 8. O-O. White is slightly better (+0.31). The next best moves are 3… Qc7 (+0.55) and 3… a5 (+0.59).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Modern Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.31: 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: Modern Variation?
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+).