Tree path 4 levels King's Pawn Game › Caro-Kann Defense › Caro-Kann Defense › Caro-Kann Defense
- Chess Codex
- King's Pawn Game B00
- Caro-Kann Defense B10
- Caro-Kann Defense B12
- Caro-Kann Defense B12 you are here
Caro-Kann Defense
Overview
Caro-Kann Defense is a named branch in the Semi-Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO B12.
The Semi-Open Games group covers semi-open games — replies to 1.e4 where Black declines the symmetrical 1…e5 in favour of an asymmetric pawn structure.
It begins with 4 plies and takes 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 to reach the canonical position.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Caro-Kann Defense, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.
8 distinct sub-variations branch from this opening; prominent examples include Caro-Kann Defense, Advance Variation, Exchange Variation, and others.
Counted recursively, this branch covers 69 sub-variations at all depths.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- B12
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 4
- Parent
- Caro-Kann Defense
- Direct variations
- 8
- Total in subtree
- 69
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
64,172,339 games · White 48.3% / Draw 5.4% / Black 46.3%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| e5 | 23,937,392 | |
| exd5 | 19,548,677 | |
| Nc3 | 13,819,864 | |
| Nd2 | 3,077,023 | |
| f3 | 2,490,282 | |
| Bd3 | 687,147 | |
| c4 | 263,237 | |
| Nf3 | 143,301 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 00:59:32
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Variations (8)
Show all 69 sub-variations (full subtree)
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