Tree path 8 levels King's Pawn Game › Caro-Kann Defense › Caro-Kann Defense › Caro-Kann Defense › Modern Variation › Caro-Kann Defense: Main Line › Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation › Smyslov Variation
Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation
Overview
Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation is a variation within the Semi-Open Games family, indexed as ECO B17.
The Semi-Open Games group covers semi-open games — replies to 1.e4 where Black declines the symmetrical 1…e5 in favour of an asymmetric pawn structure.
The line arises from 14 plies — specifically the moves 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6.
It is a variation of Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, which itself descends from the root opening King's Pawn Game.
It continues primarily into one named line, Main Line.
Step through the moves on the interactive board below, review the live Lichess statistics, or play this position against Stockfish at one of six difficulty levels.
- ECO code
- B17
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 14
- Direct variations
- 1
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
50,019 games · White 52.0% / Draw 5.7% / Black 42.3%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Bb3 | 30,856 | |
| Bd3 | 15,199 | |
| N1f3 | 1,598 | |
| c3 | 1,046 | |
| Nxf7 | 690 | |
| Be3 | 258 | |
| Bxe6 | 212 | |
| Nxe6 | 64 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:55:09
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