Caro Kann Defence





Why the Caro Kann? The most common of all opening moves by White is 1.e4. Therefore many chess openings are centered around how Black should respond to this.


Black has numerous choices and it really depends on what style of play he wants to go with. He can play a high risk sharp game or a slow, solid response or something in between.


Let's say Black wants to play a safe, careful game where he can slowly achieve equality. One which gives him a good game later on especially if White is a little inaccurate. The CK Defence is one such option. It has 10 entries in the ECO Index. Play through this opening defence with all the main lines analyzed. You can now also upload articles and games on this defense.


CK Variations




Caro Kann Defence: 1.e4 c6







1.e4 c6

There are countless possible avenues a game can take off the Caro Kann. Most of them will evolve out of these main lines.

Classical (Capablanca) V: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 (3.Nd2) dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5
Modern V: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 (3.Nd2) dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7
Bronstein-Larsen V: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6!? 5.Nxf6+ gxf6!?
Korchnoi V: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6!? 5.Nxf6+ exf6
Advance V: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 (3...c5!?)
Exchange V: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3
Two Knights V: 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3
Tartakower V: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3
Gurgenidze V: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 g6

Here are two Caro Kann games with a victory for each side.

Have You Tried the Caro Kann Defense?

The Caro Kann Defense is a well known defensive system in chess. Giving Black a secure position in the opening, this defense is a slow-burner but can eventually lead to promising situations. Maybe you play the Caro Kann regularly and would like to share your thoughts in an article. You can annotate one of your games if you prefer and show us how you used it to win. Or you can annotate a Caro Kann game played by a leading chess player of today or yesteryear. Tell us why you like the Caro Kann.

Caro Kann Articles and Games Left by other Lapocites

Click below to see Caro Kann Articles and Games by other Lapocites...

Caro Kann Classical 
The Caro-Kann Defense is a chess opening introduced by Horatio Caro, the English chess player and Marcus Kann, the Australian chess player in 1886. This …

Caro Kann Advanced 
The Caro Kann defense is named after H. Caro of Berlin and M. Kann of Vienna who analyzed this strategic game play somewhere in the 1980’s. Then this move …

Caro Kann Defense Technique Not rated yet
I used to play chess during my free time. I have participated and won in many chess competitions. In my early chess-playing days I feared the King’s Pawn …

Caro-Kann Defense Variations Not rated yet
Caro-Kann Defense Variations are one of the oldest and widely used defense variation techniques all around the world. The following are the steps that …

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Moving On






The main idea for Black in the Caro is to maintain a solid position with a good pawn structure. Avoiding major weaknesses, when he does get his pieces developed, Black should have fair chances.



Black should always be thinking about exchanging pieces and hastening the endgame. His better structure against White's advanced pawns augers well.



To make up for a usually slightly inferior pawn structure White must take control of the center and conduct his attacks from there. Another option for Black aside from the Caro is the French Defence.


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