Caro-Kann Defense
110 variations · B10 to B19
The idea
Solid, with a free bishop.
Black supports d5 with c6 and keeps the bishop on c8 free. It comes out to f5 before e6 closes its path.
Where it comes from
The Caro-Kann Defense is named after two players: the Englishman Horatio Caro and the Austrian Marcus Kann, who both analysed it in 1886 in the journal Brüderschaft. A year earlier Kann had already made an impression with it: in Hamburg in 1885 he beat Jacques Mieses in 24 moves. Botvinnik played it in his 1961 match against Tal, and variations carry the names of Capablanca and Karpov. It has a reputation for solidity: sturdier and less wild than the Sicilian Defense.
The opening itself
B10 · 1 move
Caro-Kann Defense
In the trainer
This opening is in the trainer. Play the moves of the line; if you deviate, you'll see which move theory recommends.
Variations 110
Names and moves from lichess-org/chess-openings (CC0).