ECO A11 · English Opening

English Opening: Caro-Kann Defensive System

1. c4 c6

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

2. Nf3+0.38

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the English Opening: Caro-Kann Defensive System (A11), reached after 1. c4 c6, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. Nf3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.38).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.382. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Bg4 4. Qb3 Qc7 5. Ne5 Be6 6. d4 Nd7
  2. +0.262. e3 e5 3. d4 exd4 4. exd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d5 6. Nf3 Bd6
  3. +0.262. d4 d5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the English Opening: Caro-Kann Defensive System?
After 1. c4 c6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. Nf3 for White, continuing d5 3. e3 Bg4 4. Qb3 Qc7 5. Ne5 Be6 6. d4 Nd7. White is slightly better (+0.38). The next best moves are 2. e3 (+0.26) and 2. d4 (+0.26).
Is the English Opening: Caro-Kann Defensive System a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.38: 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 English Opening: Caro-Kann Defensive System?
A11. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).