Tree path 7 levels King's Pawn Game › Caro-Kann Defense › Caro-Kann Defense › Caro-Kann Defense › Modern Variation › Caro-Kann Defense: Main Line › Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation
- Chess Codex
- King's Pawn Game B00
- Caro-Kann Defense B10
- Caro-Kann Defense B12
- Caro-Kann Defense B12
- Modern Variation B12
- Caro-Kann Defense: Main Line B15
- Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation B17 you are here
Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation
Overview
Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation is a named branch in the Semi-Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO B17.
The Semi-Open Games group covers semi-open games — replies to 1.e4 where Black declines the symmetrical 1…e5 in favour of an asymmetric pawn structure.
It is reached after 8 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Caro-Kann Defense: Main Line, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.
3 named variations grow from this line, including Modern Variation, Smyslov Variation, Tiviakov-Fischer Attack.
In total, the branch covers 6 sub-variations across all depths.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- B17
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 8
- Parent
- Caro-Kann Defense: Main Line
- Direct variations
- 3
- Total in subtree
- 6
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
1,744,029 games · White 48.3% / Draw 6.6% / Black 45.2%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Nf3 | 909,059 | |
| Bc4 | 200,033 | |
| Qe2 | 172,264 | |
| Ng5 | 126,581 | |
| Bd3 | 119,334 | |
| Ng3 | 52,123 | |
| c3 | 44,841 | |
| c4 | 28,055 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:47:36
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