ECO B13 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Panov-Botvinnik, Herzog Defense

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 dxc4 7. d5 Na5

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

8. b4+0.11

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

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov-Botvinnik, Herzog Defense (B13), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 dxc4 7. d5 Na5, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. b4 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.11).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.118. b4 cxb3 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. Bxd7+ Qxd7 11. axb3 Rc8 12. Nge2 b6
  2. −0.098. Nf3 a6 9. Ne5 b5 10. Be2 g6 11. Bf3 Bg7 12. O-O Bb7
  3. −0.218. Bxc4 Nxc4 9. Qa4+ Bd7 10. Qxc4 h6 11. Be3 e6 12. dxe6 Bxe6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov-Botvinnik, Herzog Defense?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 dxc4 7. d5 Na5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. b4 for White, continuing cxb3 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. Bxd7+ Qxd7 11. axb3 Rc8 12. Nge2 b6. The position is roughly equal (+0.11). The next best moves are 8. Nf3 (−0.09) and 8. Bxc4 (−0.21).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov-Botvinnik, Herzog Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.11: 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-Botvinnik, Herzog Defense?
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+).