Caro-Kann Defence: moves, ideas and plans

Solid and sound. Black gets the c8 bishop out before playing ...e6, avoiding the French's main problem.

B19Play it as BlackBeginner16 moves

Main line: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7

Key ideas

• ...c6 supports ...d5.
• The bishop goes to f5 before ...e6.
• A healthy pawn structure with few weaknesses.

The Caro-Kann Defence move by move

Every move of the main line, with the reason it is played. The final position is recognised in the opening database as B19 Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Spassky Variation.

1. 1. e4Centre.
2. 1… c6The Caro-Kann: prepares ...d5 with pawn support.
3. 2. d4White takes the centre.
4. 2… d5Black challenges e4.
5. 3. Nc3Defends e4.
6. 3… dxe4Black takes; in return the bishop can come out.
7. 4. Nxe4White recaptures with a well-placed knight.
8. 4… Bf5The Classical Variation: the bishop develops outside the pawn chain and hits the knight.
9. 5. Ng3White gains time on the bishop.
10. 5… Bg6The bishop keeps its good diagonal.
11. 6. h4White threatens h5, trapping the bishop.
12. 6… h6Black makes a retreat square on h7.
13. 7. Nf3Development; now h5 is a threat again.
14. 7… Nd7Stops Ne5, which would hit the g6 bishop.
15. 8. h5White gains space.
16. 8… Bh7The bishop is safe and still controls the b1–h7 diagonal.

More openings for Black