Caro-Kann Defense: De Bruycker Defense 3. Nc3 Nc7
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Statistics from Lichess
7,671 games: White 47.9% / Draw 5.4% / Black 46.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 2,8822,882 | ||
| 1,9281,928 | ||
| 608608 | ||
| 590590 | ||
| 442442 | ||
| 366366 | ||
| 309309 | ||
| 9696 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.01 White is better
Best play: 4. h3 g6 5. Be3 d5 6. e5 h5 7. Bd3 Nh6 8. Nce2 Bf5
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: De Bruycker Defense, reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 Na6 3. Nc3 Nc7 (3 moves).
In 7,671 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.9%, Black 46.7% and 5.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. Nf3, in 38% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 3…Nc7
4. Bd3 scores best for White: 51.6%, with White winning 49.3% and Black 46.1% of 608 games. The most played, 4. Nf3, scores 50.6% in 2,882 games, and 4. d5 scores lowest: 49.2%. Stockfish's first choice is 4. h3.
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
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Caro-Kann Defense: De Bruycker Defense (B12)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-de-bruycker-defense-2