The moves you’ll play
- 1.e4c6
- 2.d4d5
- 3.f3dxe4
- 4.fxe4e5
- 5.Nf3Bg4
- 6.Bc4Nd7
The line continues — master it move by move in the app.
Your coach, move by move
- 1... c6We prepare ...d5 while keeping the light-squared bishop active.
- 2... d5We challenge e4, daring White to back up the slow f3 setup.
- 3... dxe4We open the center since White's f3 has neglected development, planning to strike next.
- +3 more coached moves waiting in the app
Key ideas behind this line
- Black develops the light-squared bishop actively to f5 or g6 before playing ...e6, avoiding the bad bishop that plagues the French.
- Black's solid c6-d5 structure invites endgames where the healthier pawns and active pieces give long-term equality or better.
- In the Advance Variation, Black challenges White's e5 spearhead with ...c5 and pressure on d4, often combined with ...Qb6 hitting the d4/b2 squares.
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More lines in this opening
Classical Variation, Main Line
The Classical main line and the heart of any Caro-Kann repertoire: Black develops the light-squared bishop outside the pawn chain, then builds a fortress with ...h6, ...Nd7, ...e6, ...Qc7 and queenside castling.
Advance Variation, Short System (4.Nf3 / 5.Be2)
Against Nigel Short's quiet 4.Nf3 and 5.Be2, Black gets the bishop out to f5, plays ...e6, and reroutes the knight via e7-g6 to pressure e5 before striking with ...c5.
Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack (4.Nc3)
The aggressive Van der Wiel with 4.Nc3 and 5.g4 grabs kingside space but loosens White's own king; Black retreats to g6 and immediately counters in the center with ...c5.
Advance Variation, 4.h4 (Modern/Tal)
Against the modern 4.h4, Black blunts the kingside with ...h6, retreats the bishop to the safe d7-square, and sets up the standard ...e6/...c5 counterplay.
Exchange Variation
In the Exchange, Black develops naturally and uses the ...Bg4 and ...Na5 motif to harass White's queen; after Qa4+ Bd7 the a5-knight is tactically immune thanks to the ...b6 queen trap.
Panov-Botvinnik Attack, IQP Main Line
The Panov leads to an isolated queen's pawn middlegame; Black develops with ...e6, ...Be7 and ...Nxd5, then blockades the d-pawn with ...Nc6, ...O-O and ...b6.
Panov-Botvinnik, Fianchetto Defense (...g6)
A Gruenfeld-style answer to the Panov: Black fianchettoes, gives up the d5-pawn temporarily, and uses rapid development and pressure on d4 to regain it with full activity.
Two Knights Variation
In the Two Knights, Black trades the light-squared bishop with ...Bg4xf3 and sets up a rock-solid French/Caro structure where White's bishop pair has little scope.
Karpov Variation (4...Nd7)
Karpov's ...Nd7 keeps the pawns intact; after Ng5 Ngf6 Bd3 e6 Black develops with ...Bd6 and steers clear of the famous ...h6?? Nxe6! sacrifice.
Tartakower Variation (4...Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6)
The Tartakower with 5...exf6 gives Black a sound structure and easy development; ...Bd6, ...O-O, ...Re8 and the bishop pair offer comfortable, low-risk play.
Bronstein-Larsen Variation (4...Nf6 5.Nxf6+ gxf6)
The sharp Bronstein-Larsen with 5...gxf6 opens the g-file for attack; Black plays ...Bf5, ...Nd7, ...Qc7, ...O-O-O and hurls the rook down the g-file.
Accelerated Panov (2.c4)
Against the Accelerated Panov 2.c4 Black challenges with ...d5, recaptures, and rounds up the advanced pawn with ...Nf6 and ...Nxd5, reaching a free, equal game.
King's Indian Attack (2.d3)
Against the King's Indian Attack Black answers the slow 2.d3 by taking the full center with ...d5 and ...e5, reaching a comfortable reversed setup with a space edge.