Playing ...e6 before the bishop is out
In the Advance, 3...e6 transposes to a French with the bishop still on c8. Play 3...Bf5 first.
Opening guide · Black against 1.e4
How to play the Caro-Kann Defense
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5
The Caro-Kann, 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5, prepares ...d5 with the c-pawn so Black can fight for the centre without blocking the light-squared bishop. Play the main lines below, try the quiz, then learn the full repertoire in the course.
- Lines to play
- 5
- Trap
- 1
- Quiz positions
- 5
Learn the Caro-Kann Defense move by move
You play Black. Each move is explained before you play it, with an arrow on the board; then you play the line from memory. When the course has more than one good move, every one of them counts.
Key ideas
Support d5 before you play it
- 1...c6 means that after an exchange on d5 Black recaptures with a pawn and keeps a pawn in the centre. The cost is a slower development than after 1...e5.
Develop the light-squared bishop first
- Unlike the French, Black gets the bishop out to f5 or g4 before playing ...e6, so it never ends up locked behind its own pawns.
Choose the pawn break for the structure
- Against the Advance, hit the chain with ...c5. In the Classical, free your game with ...c5 or ...e5 after castling. In the Exchange, use the half-open c-file for a minority attack with ...b5-b4.
A sound structure buys you time
- The Caro-Kann gives few early targets. White often has more space, but Black rarely loses to a quick attack if the pieces are developed in the right order.
The main lines
Classical: 3.Nc3 dxe4
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Bd3 Nxe4 7.Bxe4 Nf6
Black takes on e4, then challenges the knight with ...Nd7 and ...Ngf6.
Advance: 3.e5 Bf5
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Ne7 6.O-O c5
The bishop comes out before ...e6, then ...c5 attacks the head of White’s chain.
Exchange: 3.exd5 cxd5
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4
A symmetrical structure where Black develops around the open c-file.
Panov: 4.c4
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nf3 Be6
White accepts an isolated pawn for active pieces; Black blockades and pressures d4.
Fantasy: 3.f3
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 e6 4.Nc3 Bb4
White supports e4 with the f-pawn; Black answers with ...e6 and a quick ...Bb4.
A trap to know
Short tactical shots that come out of these moves. More in the chess traps collection.
Avoid 5...Ngf6?? 6.Nd6 mate
After 5.Qe2 the e7-pawn is pinned, so a knight check on d6 cannot be taken.
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Step through the line with the arrows.
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Find the move
5 positions from the main lines, each with its idea. Your first try counts.
Position 1 of 5
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5
The ideaGet the light-squared bishop out before ...e6.
Find the move for Black.
Common mistakes
Forgetting the ...c5 break
Without ...c5 Black’s position stays cramped against the Advance. The break is the plan, not an option.
Developing the g8-knight to f6 too early in the Classical
After 4...Nd7, the knight from g8 goes to f6 only when Nd6 is not a mate threat. Against 5.Qe2, play 5...Ndf6.
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
How do I learn the Caro-Kann Defense?
Play it, one move at a time. The trainer on this page explains each Black move before you play it, then asks you to play the line from memory. Read the main lines and traps, test yourself in the quiz, then play it in your games. The Caro-Kann Bunker teaches every line, with spaced review so the moves stay with you.
Is the Caro-Kann good for beginners?
Yes. It has clear plans, few early traps for Black and the same pawn structures come back often. It asks for patience rather than memory.
What is the main line of the Caro-Kann?
The Classical, 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4, is the most common, with 4...Bf5 or 4...Nd7. The Advance, 3.e5, is the most popular alternative at club level.
Is the Caro-Kann solid or passive?
Solid, not passive. Black’s pieces are developed actively, and pawn breaks such as ...c5 create real counterplay. It just avoids early weaknesses.
What is the difference between the Caro-Kann and the French?
Both prepare ...d5, but the Caro-Kann uses the c-pawn, so the light-squared bishop can leave before ...e6. The French uses the e-pawn and often keeps that bishop inside the chain.
Learn every line of the Caro-Kann Defense
The Caro-Kann Bunker teaches it as a repertoire: 60 lines, a note on every move read aloud, and spaced review so the moves stay with you. The first line is free.
A free account also reviews your games and shows where you left the lines. Sign up