The Caro-Kann, 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5, challenges e4 with the d-pawn while keeping the c8 bishop free to develop. It gives Black one of the most solid pawn structures in chess, with no weaknesses and excellent endgame prospects.
Key ideas
1...c6 supports ...d5 without blocking the c8 bishop (unlike the French).
2Develop the light-squared bishop to f5 or g4 before playing ...e6.
3Against the Advance (3.e5) play ...Bf5, ...e6 and challenge with ...c5.
4In the Classical line, ...h6 and ...Nd7 build a rock-solid position for a long game.
5Do not fear queen trades; Caro-Kann endgames are usually pleasant for Black.
In Pro
Caro-Kann Defense is part of Pro, with every opening in the library and review dates on each line.
Pro is $6.99 a month or $49 a year. Start free: three days
in a row earns 72 hours of Pro with no card.
Players come to the Caro-Kann for the pawn structure and stay for the endgames. One pawn on c6 supports ...d5, and unlike the French the c8 bishop has a clear road to f5 or g4 before ...e6 closes it. The cost is a slower start. Five lines here cover every serious third move White has.
What you will learn
01Get the light-squared bishop to f5 or g4 before ...e6 in every line, including the one where White pushes 3.e5.
02Hold the Classical structure with ...h6, ...Nd7 and ...e6 while White advances the h-pawn.
03Recognise the Panov 4.c4 as an isolated-pawn fight and the Exchange 3.exd5 as a race to use the e-file.
The main line
The Classical line runs 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7. Black challenges e4, takes when White defends with the knight, and uses the recapturing knight as a target: 4...Bf5 develops with a hit. The knight retreats to g3, the bishop steps back to g6, and White pushes h4 to ask whether the bishop has a square.
It does, because 6...h6 holds g6 and gives the bishop h7 if needed. 7...Nd7 is a modest move with a point: Black intends ...Ngf6 and does not want a recapture on f6 to ruin the king side. From here Black plays ...e6, ...Be7 and castles with no weaknesses for White to aim at.
The usual beginner mistake is ...e6 before the bishop is out, which turns the Caro-Kann into a French with worse timing. The second is meeting 3.e5 with ...c5 at once; ...Bf5 first, then ...e6 and ...c5.
How to practise it
Start with the Classical line and notice that Black's first five moves are the same against 3.Nc3 and 3.Nd2. Drill it as Black until ...h6 arrives without a pause; that is the move that gets skipped. Then learn the Advance line, which changes the structure the most. The other three take their turn on the review schedule in Pro.
Yes. The moves are natural, the king is safe early and the structure forgives small mistakes. It asks for patience rather than memory, which suits players who prefer a long game.
What is the main line of the Caro-Kann?
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7, the Classical variation. The Advance 3.e5, the Exchange 3.exd5 and the Panov 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 are the other main branches.