Caro-Kann Defense · B12
Advance Variation, Botvinnik-Carls Defense
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5
Black plays around White's e5 wedge with ...c5 and ...e6, aiming to chip at the chain.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... c6 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Caro-Kann Defense.
- 2. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 2... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.
Sign in to read every move's note and train this line — 2 more moves in this line, 6 in all.
Where this fits
This line is one of 110 in the Caro-Kann Defense. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.