Caissa Codex
B17

Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation

Chess diagram: Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation after 7…Nb6

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

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Statistics from Lichess

50,019 games: White 52.0% / Draw 5.7% / Black 42.3%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
Main Line 30,85631K
15,19915K
1,5981,598
1,0461,046
690690
258258
212212
6464

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.05 The position is about equal

Best play: 8. Bd3 h6 9. N5f3 c5 10. Ne5 cxd4 11. Ngf3 Bc5 12. a3 Nbd5

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov 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. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6 (7 moves).

In 50,019 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.0%, Black 42.3% and 5.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Bb3, in 62% of those games.

It continues into one named variation, Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation, Main Line.

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

8. Bd3 scores best for White: 58.9%, with White winning 55.7% and Black 38.0% of 15K games. The most played answer, 8. Bb3, scores lowest: 54.2% in 31K games. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. Bd3.

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

Variations (1)

Other lines from the same position

Instead of 5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6, the position after Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation (B17)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-karpov-variation-smyslov-variation

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