Caissa Codex
B17

Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Variation, Ivanchuk Defense

Chess diagram: Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Variation, Ivanchuk Defense after 5…Ndf6

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Statistics from Lichess

11,051 games: White 53.5% / Draw 5.5% / Black 41.1%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
4,8154,815
3,0473,047
2,6272,627
244244
167167
3939
3131
1818

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.75 White is better

Best play: 6. N1f3 Bg4 7. Be2 Bxf3 8. Nxf3 e6 9. O-O Bd6 10. b3 Ne7

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, Ivanchuk Defense (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 Ndf6 (5 moves).

In 11,051 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 53.5%, Black 41.1% and 5.5% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Bc4, in 44% of those games.

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How to play against the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Variation, Ivanchuk Defense

6. N1f3 scores best for White: 60.3%, with White winning 58.1% and Black 37.5% of 3,047 games. The most played, 6. Bc4, scores 55.6% in 4,815 games, and 6. Bd3 scores lowest: 53.8%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6. N1f3.

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

Other lines from the same position

Instead of 5…Ndf6, the position after Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Modern Variation, Ivanchuk Defense (B17)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-karpov-variation-modern-variation-ivanchuk-defense

https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-karpov-variation-modern-variation-ivanchuk-defense