B18

Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Maróczy Attack

Chess diagram: Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Maróczy Attack after 6. f4

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

152,857 games: White 54.4% / Draw 4.8% / Black 40.8%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
114,828115K
23,37923K
7,1347,134
3,0533,053
1,5791,579
1,2451,245
646646
310310

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 2, 2026

Engine evaluation

0.00 The position is about equal

Best play: 6... e6 7. h4 h5 8. Bd3 Qxd4 9. Bxg6 Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1 fxg6 11. Nf3

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

Overview

Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Maróczy Attack (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. f4 (6 moves).

In 152,857 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 54.4%, Black 40.8% and 4.8% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…e6, in 75% of those games.

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How to play against the Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Maróczy Attack

The most played answer, 6…e6, also scores best for Black: 46.0%, with Black winning 43.4% and White 51.3% of 115K games. Of the main answers, 6…h6 scores lowest: 32.5%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6…e6.

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, Maróczy Attack (B18)”. Lichess data as of 2 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-classical-variation-maroczy-attack