Caissa Codex
B12

Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Prins Attack

Chess diagram: Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Prins Attack after 4. b4

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

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Statistics from Lichess

29,575 games: White 45.8% / Draw 4.9% / Black 49.3%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
26,25026K
1,1511,151
604604
400400
309309
309309
126126
122122

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026

Engine evaluation

−0.23 The position is about equal

Best play: 4... e6 5. c3 a5 6. b5 c5 7. Bd3 Ne7 8. Ne2 Nd7 9. O-O

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Prins Attack (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. b4 (4 moves).

In 29,575 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.8%, Black 49.3% and 4.9% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…e6, in 89% of those games.

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Other lines from the same position

Instead of 3…Bf5 4. b4, the position after Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Prins Attack (B12)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-advance-variation-prins-attack

https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-advance-variation-prins-attack