The moves you’ll play
- 1.e4c6
- 2.d4d5
- 3.exd5cxd5
- 4.c4Nf6
- 5.Nc3e6
- 6.Nf3Be7
- 7.cxd5Nxd5
The line continues — master it move by move in the app.
Your coach, move by move
- 1... c6We prepare ...d5 while keeping our bishop's diagonal open.
- 2... d5We strike at the center immediately, the core Caro-Kann idea.
- 3... cxd5We recapture toward the center, ready to meet White's c4 thrust with sound development.
- +4 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.
Learn this exact line — free
GambitLab walks you through every move and why it works, then locks it into memory with spaced repetition. Your first line is on the house.
Train this line freeNo card required · 7-day full access · Cancel anytime
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, 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.
Fantasy Variation (3.f3)
Against the Fantasy 3.f3, Black hits back in the center with ...dxe4 and ...e5; the ...Bg4 pin makes the e5-pawn untouchable and Black completes development comfortably.
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.