Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
126,554 games: White 55.7% / Draw 5.2% / Black 39.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 88,26088K | ||
| 13,26413K | ||
| Ivanchuk Defense | 11,05411K | |
| 10,86011K | ||
| 1,2591,259 | ||
| 517517 | ||
| 403403 | ||
| 323323 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.33 White is slightly better
Best play: 5... h6 6. Ne6 Qb6 7. Nxf8 Nxf8 8. c3 Bf5 9. Bc4 Nf6 10. Ne2
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 Variation (ECO B17, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Ng5 (5 moves).
In 126,554 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 55.7%, Black 39.0% and 5.2% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…Ngf6, in 70% of those games.
It branches into 2 named variations; the most played are Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Main Line and Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Variation, Ivanchuk Defense.
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How to play against the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Variation
5…Ndf6 (Ivanchuk Defense) scores best for Black: 43.8%, with Black winning 41.1% and White 53.4% of 11K games. The most played, 5…Ngf6, scores 42.1% in 88K games, and 5…h6 scores lowest: 35.8%. Stockfish's first choice is 5…h6.
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
Variations (2)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Variation (B17)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-karpov-variation-modern-variation