ECO B15 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: von Hennig Gambit

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Bc4

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

4… Nf6−0.54

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: von Hennig Gambit (B15), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Bc4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.54).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.544… Nf6 5. Nge2 b5 6. Bb3 b4 7. Na4 Bf5 8. Ng3 Bg6 9. h4
  2. −0.474… b5 5. Bb3 Nf6 6. Nge2 b4 7. Na4 Bf5 8. O-O Nbd7 9. Ng3
  3. −0.344… Bf5 5. g4 Bg6 6. Nge2 Nf6 7. h4 Nxg4 8. h5 Bf5 9. Ng3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: von Hennig Gambit?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Bc4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black, continuing 5. Nge2 b5 6. Bb3 b4 7. Na4 Bf5 8. Ng3 Bg6 9. h4. Black is slightly better (−0.54). The next best moves are 4… b5 (−0.47) and 4… Bf5 (−0.34).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: von Hennig Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.54: 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: von Hennig Gambit?
B15. 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+).