ECO B11 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation, Retreat Line

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. h3 Bh5

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

5. exd5+0.53

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation, Retreat Line (B11), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. h3 Bh5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. exd5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.53).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.535. exd5 cxd5 6. g4 Bg6 7. Ne5 Nc6 8. d4 e6 9. h4 f6
  2. +0.435. d4 dxe4 6. Nxe4 Nd7 7. Qe2 e6 8. g4 Bg6 9. Bg2 Bxe4
  3. +0.415. g4 dxe4 6. Nxe4 Bg6 7. Qe2 e6 8. d4 Nd7 9. Bg2 Bxe4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation, Retreat Line?
After 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. h3 Bh5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. exd5 for White, continuing cxd5 6. g4 Bg6 7. Ne5 Nc6 8. d4 e6 9. h4 f6. White is slightly better (+0.53). The next best moves are 5. d4 (+0.43) and 5. g4 (+0.41).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation, Retreat Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.53: 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, Retreat Line?
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+).