ECO B10 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Spike Variation

1. e4 c6 2. g4

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

2… d5−0.53

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Spike Variation (B10), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. g4, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… d5 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.53).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.532… d5 3. d4 dxe4 4. Nc3 h5 5. g5 Bg4 6. Qd2 e5 7. Nxe4
  2. −0.282… e5 3. d4 d5 4. dxe5 Nd7 5. Nc3 Nxe5 6. Qd4 Bd6 7. Bf4
  3. −0.112… h5 3. g5 d5 4. d4 dxe4 5. Bg2 Bg4 6. Ne2 e6 7. Nbc3

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Spike Variation?
After 1. e4 c6 2. g4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… d5 for Black, continuing 3. d4 dxe4 4. Nc3 h5 5. g5 Bg4 6. Qd2 e5 7. Nxe4. Black is slightly better (−0.53). The next best moves are 2… e5 (−0.28) and 2… h5 (−0.11).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Spike Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.53: 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: Spike Variation?
B10. 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+).