Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Main Line
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Statistics from Lichess
11,217 games: White 48.4% / Draw 9.1% / Black 42.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 6,2506,250 | ||
| 4,6224,622 | ||
| 278278 | ||
| 1919 | ||
| 1212 | ||
| 99 | ||
| 88 | ||
| 77 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.40 White is slightly better
Best play: 10... Qc7 11. O-O b6 12. Qg4 Kf8 13. b3 Nf6 14. Qh3 h5 15. Qh4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Main Line (ECO B17, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Variation, reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Ng5 Ngf6 6. Bd3 e6 7. N1f3 Bd6 8. Qe2 h6 9. Ne4 Nxe4 10. Qxe4 (10 moves).
In 11,217 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.4%, Black 42.5% and 9.1% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 10…Nf6, in 56% 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: Karpov Variation, Modern Main Line
10…Qc7 scores best for Black: 49.1%, with Black winning 44.7% and White 46.4% of 4,622 games. The most played answer, 10…Nf6, scores lowest: 45.8% in 6,250 games. Stockfish's first choice is also 10…Qc7.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black'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: Karpov Variation, Modern Main Line (B17)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-karpov-variation-modern-main-line