ECO B12 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Ulysses Gambit

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Ng5

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

4… Nf6−0.62

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Ulysses Gambit (B12), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Ng5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.62).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.624… Nf6 5. Bc4 e6 6. Qe2 Qxd4 7. Nc3 b5 8. Bb3 Bb4 9. O-O
  2. −0.594… Bf5 5. g4 Bg6 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Bg2 h5 8. h3 e6 9. Ncxe4
  3. +0.104… h6 5. Nxe4 Bf5 6. Ng3 Bh7 7. Be3 Nf6 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Ulysses Gambit?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Ng5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black, continuing 5. Bc4 e6 6. Qe2 Qxd4 7. Nc3 b5 8. Bb3 Bb4 9. O-O. Black is slightly better (−0.62). The next best moves are 4… Bf5 (−0.59) and 4… h6 (+0.10).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Ulysses Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.62: 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: Ulysses Gambit?
B12. 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+).