Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation

The Karpov Variation is 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7, a solid main line of the Caro-Kann Defense. It can also be reached with 3.Nc3. It has had many names: the Karpov Variation, the Steinitz Variation, after the first World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz, who played it, the Smyslov Variation and the Modern Variation.

The idea

With 4...Nd7 Black prepares ...Ngf6, so that if White exchanges knights on f6 Black can recapture with the other knight and keep a healthy pawn structure. The short-term aim is to ease Black's position by trading a pair of knights early without weakening the pawns.

Compared with the Classical Variation, 4...Bf5, Black keeps more freedom by delaying the bishop's development and is not forced to put it on g6. In return White has more freedom to take space in the centre and often plays the aggressive 5.Ng5.

Main lines

• 5.Ng5 is White's aggressive try.
• 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Ng3 is called the Kasparov Attack on this site.
• 5.Qe2 sets a well-known trap: 5...Ngf6 allows 6.Nd6#, a smothered mate. After 5...Ndf6 Black has a solid position.

The famous last game of the rematch between Deep Blue and Garry Kasparov, in which Kasparov made a known mistake and lost, was played in this line.

The numbers

On Lichess White wins 48.3% of the 1.7 million games and Black 45.2%. Below 1800 Black is slightly ahead, for example 48.5% against 47.7% under 1400. From 1800 up White leads, 48.6% against 43.0% from 2200 up. In 6,823 master games over the board 47.3% were drawn, White won 32.0% and Black 20.7%.