Caro-Kann: the complete guide
1. e4 c6
Analyzed in 1886 by Horatio Caro and Marcus Kann, long deemed too quiet, the Caro-Kann is solidity made into a defense: Capablanca and Karpov loved it. It is enjoying a true renaissance today, from online blitz to the very top.
How it starts, move by move
- 1. e4e4 occupies the center.
- ... c6c6 controls d5.
Both sides plans
White's plan
Take the big center with d4 and defend it. Against Black's solid setup, the space advantage converts on the kingside (Advance: e5 then h4-h5) or into a better endgame through development.
Black's plan
...c6 prepares ...d5: challenge e4 WITHOUT burying the c8-bishop, which is the whole difference from the French. The bishop comes out to f5 or g4 before ...e6, and the black structure is a rock. The equalizing levers: ...c5 or ...e5.
What is actually played
Real shares of the continuations after 1. e4 c6, Lichess games by Elo band.
| Continuation | Elo 1400 | Elo 1600 | Elo 1800 | Elo 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2. d4 | 37 % | 42 % | 50 % | 62 % |
| 2. Nc3 | 6 % | 6 % | 7 % | 8 % |
| 2. c4 | 2 % | 2 % | 3 % | 3 % |
| 2. d3 | 2 % | 2 % | 2 % | 3 % |
| 2. Bc4 | 10 % | 8 % | 5 % | 2 % |
The main variations
- Caro-Kann DefenseB101. e4 c6
- Caro-Kann DefenseB121. e4 c6 2. d4
- Caro-Kann DefenseB121. e4 c6 2. d4 d5
- Exchange VariationB131. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5
- Exchange VariationB131. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5
- Modern VariationB121. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2
- Main LineB151. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4
- Panov AttackB131. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4
- Caro-Kann DefenseB151. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3
- Advance VariationB121. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5
- Caro-Kann DefenseB151. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4
- Panov AttackB131. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6
Frequently asked questions
- What moves start the Caro-Kann?
- The Caro-Kann starts with 1. e4 c6. Every move is explained in the interactive explorer.
- How many named variations does the Caro-Kann have?
- 110 named variations, from the Lichess ECO database. The main ones are listed on this page; the full tree lives in the branch map.
- What is the most played continuation?
- Around 2000 Elo, the most frequent continuation is 2. d4, played in 62% of games (Lichess data).
- How can I learn the Caro-Kann for free?
- The explorer, free play, review cards and the essential ★1 course of the Caro-Kann are free on OpeningMate. The ★2 to ★5 levels and per-variation courses are part of Premium.
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