ECO B11 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4

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

4. d4+0.41

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation (B11), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. d4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.41).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.414. d4 e6 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 dxe4 7. Qxe4 Nd7 8. Bd3 Ne7
  2. +0.374. Be2 e6 5. d4 Nd7 6. O-O dxe4 7. Nxe4 Ngf6 8. h3 Bxf3
  3. +0.334. h3 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 Nf6 6. Be2 e6 7. O-O d4 8. Nb1 Bd6

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation?
After 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. d4 for White, continuing e6 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 dxe4 7. Qxe4 Nd7 8. Bd3 Ne7. White is slightly better (+0.41). The next best moves are 4. Be2 (+0.37) and 4. h3 (+0.33).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.41: 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: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation?
B11. 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+).