Delaying ...c5 forever
Without ...c5 White keeps a free hand on the kingside. Play it once your pieces support it.
Caro-Kann Defense · Opening guide · Caro-Kann, 3.e5
Caro-Kann Advance Variation: how Black plays it
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5
After 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5, White grabs space and closes the centre. Black develops the bishop to f5, plays ...e6 and attacks the chain with ...c5. The lines below cover White’s main attempts.
- Lines to play
- 5
- Quiz positions
- 5
Learn the Caro-Kann Advance Variation 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
Bishop out, then ...e6
- 3...Bf5 develops the bishop outside the pawn chain before ...e6 closes the diagonal behind it.
Attack the base of the chain
- ...c5 hits d4, the pawn that supports e5. Follow up with ...Nc6, ...Qb6 and sometimes ...cxd4 to open the c-file.
The e7-knight
- The king’s knight often goes to e7 and then c6, f5 or g6, because f6 is taken away by the e5-pawn.
Meet the g4 and h4 lunges calmly
- White can chase the bishop with g4 or h4. Black answers with ...Bg6 or ...h5 and keeps the bishop on its diagonal; the pawns White pushed become targets later.
The main lines
Short system: 4.Nf3 and Be2
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Ne7 6.O-O c5 7.c3 Nec6
The quiet main line. Black develops with ...e6, ...Ne7 and strikes with ...c5.
4.h4 h5
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 e6
Black stops h4-h5 and offers the bishop trade after Bd3.
4.Nc3 e6 5.g4
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nge2 c5
The sharp line: the bishop drops to g6 and ...c5 hits back.
4.c4
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.c4 e6 5.Nc3 Ne7 6.Nf3 Nd7
White adds pressure on d5. Black develops with ...e6, ...Ne7 and ...Nd7.
4.Bd3
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Bd3 Bxd3 5.Qxd3 e6 6.Nf3 c5
White offers the bishop trade straight away. Take it and play ...e6 and ...c5.
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 ideaDevelop the bishop before closing it in.
Find the move for Black.
Common mistakes
Playing ...Nf6
The e5-pawn controls f6. The knight belongs on e7, then c6 or f5.
Taking on g4 with a pawn too early
Opening the h-file can help White if your king is still in the centre. Count the attackers first.
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
How do I learn the Caro-Kann Advance Variation?
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.
What is the best response to the Caro-Kann Advance?
3...Bf5 is the classical answer: develop the bishop, play ...e6 and attack the chain with ...c5. 3...c5 at once is a sharper alternative.
Why does Black play ...c5 after already playing ...c6?
The c6-pawn supported ...d5; now that the centre is closed, the c-pawn moves again to attack d4, the base of White’s chain. Losing a tempo is fine in a closed position.
Where does Black castle in the Advance?
Usually kingside, after ...Ne7 and ...Be7. When White has pushed g4 and h4, Black can keep the king in the centre or castle queenside.
Learn every line of the Caro-Kann Advance Variation
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