Caro-Kann Defense: Edinburgh Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
8,219 games: White 53.1% / Draw 4.7% / Black 42.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,9803,980 | ||
| 3,2953,295 | ||
| 578578 | ||
| 120120 | ||
| 8686 | ||
| 6767 | ||
| 4949 | ||
| 1818 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.80 White is better
Best play: 4. Ngf3 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bf5 6. Ng3 Bg4 7. Be2 Nf6 8. O-O g6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Caro-Kann Defense: Edinburgh Variation (ECO B12, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense: Modern Variation, reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Qb6 (3 moves).
In 8,219 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 53.1%, Black 42.1% and 4.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. c3, in 48% 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: Edinburgh Variation
The most played answer, 4. c3, also scores best for White: 57.8%, with White winning 55.2% and Black 39.6% of 3,980 games. Of the main answers, 4. exd5 scores lowest: 51.4%. Stockfish's first choice is 4. Ngf3.
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: Edinburgh Variation (B12)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-edinburgh-variation