ECO B13 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4

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

4… Nf6+0.20

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack (B13), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.20).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.204… Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Nc3 Bg4 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Qb3 Bxf3 9. gxf3
  2. +0.244… e6 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Nf3 Bd6 8. Bd3 h6 9. O-O
  3. +0.324… g6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Qb3 Bg7 7. cxd5 O-O 8. Be2 a5 9. Nf3

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3
  • 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6
  • 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nf3 e6 7. c5
  • 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Nf3 e6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bb5 Bg4
  • 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Nf3 e6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bb5 Bd6 9. Bg5 O-O 10. O-O

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black, continuing 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Nc3 Bg4 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Qb3 Bxf3 9. gxf3. The position is roughly equal (+0.20). The next best moves are 4… e6 (+0.24) and 4… g6 (+0.32).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.20: the position is roughly equal. 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: Panov Attack?
B13. 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+).