Caro-Kann Defense: De Bruycker Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
47,379 games: White 49.4% / Draw 5.3% / Black 45.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 13,67814K | ||
| 9,3139,313 | ||
| 7,3787,378 | ||
| 5,5865,586 | ||
| 2,5062,506 | ||
| 2,4322,432 | ||
| 1,3351,335 | ||
| 1,1471,147 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 13, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.94 White is better
Best play: 3. Nf3 g6 4. Bd3 Bg7 5. O-O Nc7 6. h3 Nh6 7. a4 O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Caro-Kann Defense: De Bruycker Defense (ECO B12, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense, reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 Na6 (2 moves).
In 47,379 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.4%, Black 45.3% and 5.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. Bxa6, in 29% of those games.
It continues into one named variation.
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: De Bruycker Defense
3. c3 scores best for White: 53.9%, with White winning 51.4% and Black 43.5% of 2,432 games. The most played answer, 3. Bxa6, scores lowest: 50.8% in 14K games. Stockfish's first choice is 3. Nf3.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Variations (1)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Caro-Kann Defense: De Bruycker Defense (B12)”. Lichess data as of 13 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-de-bruycker-defense