ECO B10 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Spike Variation, Scorpion-Grob Gambit

1. e4 c6 2. g4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. d3

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

4… exd3−0.92

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Spike Variation, Scorpion-Grob Gambit (B10), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. g4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. d3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… exd3 for Black. Black is clearly better (−0.92).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.924… exd3 5. Bxd3 Nf6 6. h3 Nbd7 7. Be3 Ne5 8. Be2 Qxd1+ 9. Rxd1
  2. −0.454… e5 5. Nxe4 Nf6 6. Nxf6+ gxf6 7. h4 Qd5 8. Rh2 Be6 9. g5
  3. −0.424… h5 5. g5 Bg4 6. Qd2 exd3 7. Bxd3 e5 8. h3 Be6 9. Qe2

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Spike Variation, Scorpion-Grob Gambit?
After 1. e4 c6 2. g4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. d3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… exd3 for Black, continuing 5. Bxd3 Nf6 6. h3 Nbd7 7. Be3 Ne5 8. Be2 Qxd1+ 9. Rxd1. Black is clearly better (−0.92). The next best moves are 4… e5 (−0.45) and 4… h5 (−0.42).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Spike Variation, Scorpion-Grob Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.92: black is clearly 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, Scorpion-Grob Gambit?
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+).