Home › Chess openings

Caro-Kann Defence (B19)

Caro-Kann Defence is a defence for Black. Level: Beginner. Main line: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7.

The main line, move by move

1. 1. e4: White takes the centre.
2. 1… c6: Black prepares ...d5, keeping the c8 bishop's path open.
3. 2. d4: White builds a big centre.
4. 2… d5: Black attacks e4.
5. 3. Nc3: White defends e4.
6. 3… dxe4: Black takes the pawn.
7. 4. Nxe4: White takes back with the knight.
8. 4… Bf5: Black develops the light-squared bishop with tempo. Getting this bishop out is the main idea of the Caro-Kann.
9. 5. Ng3: The knight attacks the bishop.
10. 5… Bg6: The bishop steps back but stays active.
11. 6. h4: White threatens h5, trapping the bishop.
12. 6… h6: Black makes room for the bishop on h7.
13. 7. Nf3: White develops.
14. 7… Nd7: Black develops and prepares ...Ngf6 without allowing a knight into e5 with tempo.

Ideas for White

Gain space, chase Black's bishop with the knight and the h-pawn, and use the extra space for an attack.

Ideas for Black

Develop the light-squared bishop outside the pawn chain, then play ...e6 and ...c5 for a solid, healthy position.

Typical plans

• Black: ...e6, ...Ngf6, ...Be7 and castle.
• White: Bd3 to trade bishops, then queenside castling and a kingside attack.

Common mistakes

• Black allowing a smothered mate with ...Ngf6 when the queen is on e2 (see the Caro-Kann Smothered Mate).
• Black playing ...e6 before getting the c8 bishop out.

Variations

Classical (4...Bf5), Advance (3.e5), Exchange (3.exd5), Panov Attack (3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4).

Traps in this opening

• Caro-Kann Smothered Mate

Quick check

What is Black's main idea in the Caro-Kann compared with the French Defence?

Answer: The light-squared bishop gets out before ...e6. In the Caro-Kann the c8 bishop develops first, so it isn't shut in by ...e6.

Start the interactive lesson