Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Flohr Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
120,527 games: White 54.2% / Draw 6.5% / Black 39.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 44,52745K | ||
| 28,36628K | ||
| 22,17022K | ||
| 18,53319K | ||
| 4,8804,880 | ||
| 838838 | ||
| 481481 | ||
| 315315 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.08 The position is about equal
Best play: 6... Nf6 7. Nf4 e5 8. Nxg6 hxg6 9. dxe5 Qa5+ 10. Bd2 Qxe5+ 11. Qe2
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Flohr Variation (ECO B18, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. Nh3 (6 moves).
In 120,527 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 54.2%, Black 39.3% and 6.5% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…e6, in 37% 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: Classical Variation, Flohr Variation
The most played answer, 6…e6, also scores best for Black: 45.2%, with Black winning 41.7% and White 51.2% of 45K games. Of the main answers, 6…h6 scores lowest: 35.8%. Stockfish's first choice is 6…Nf6.
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: Classical Variation, Flohr Variation (B18)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-classical-variation-flohr-variation