Caro-Kann Defense: Advance, Short Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
13,712 games: White 44.3% / Draw 5.0% / Black 50.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 6,2516,251 | ||
| 3,3953,395 | ||
| 1,3551,355 | ||
| 895895 | ||
| 492492 | ||
| 430430 | ||
| 314314 | ||
| 117117 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.25 The position is about equal
Best play: 5... c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O cxd4 8. cxd4 Nge7 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. Ne1
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Caro-Kann Defense: Advance, Short Variation (ECO B12, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. c3 e6 5. Be2 (5 moves).
In 13,712 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 44.3%, Black 50.7% and 5.0% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…c5, in 46% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance, Short Variation
The most played answer, 5…c5, also scores best for Black: 54.7%, with Black winning 52.0% and White 42.6% of 6,251 games. Of the main answers, 5…h6 scores lowest: 50.7%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5…c5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Caro-Kann Defense: Advance, Short Variation (B12)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-advance-short-variation