Caro-Kann Defense: Gurgenidze Counterattack
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Statistics from Lichess
78,560 games: White 43.2% / Draw 5.8% / Black 51.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 43,58344K | ||
| 22,86923K | ||
| 6,2916,291 | ||
| 2,0032,003 | ||
| 1,4241,424 | ||
| 948948 | ||
| 382382 | ||
| 176176 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 13, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.25 White is better
Best play: 4. e5 b4 5. Na4 e6 6. Nf3 Nd7 7. b3 a5 8. Bd3 Ba6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Caro-Kann Defense: Gurgenidze Counterattack (ECO B15, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense, reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 b5 (3 moves).
In 78,560 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 43.2%, Black 51.0% and 5.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. exd5, in 55% of those games.
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How to play against the Caro-Kann Defense: Gurgenidze Counterattack
4. e5 scores best for White: 51.9%, with White winning 49.1% and Black 45.3% of 6,291 games. The most played answer, 4. exd5, scores lowest: 43.1% in 44K games. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. e5.
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: Gurgenidze Counterattack (B15)”. Lichess data as of 13 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-gurgenidze-counterattack