Caissa Codex
B17

Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation, Main Line

Chess diagram: Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation, Main Line after 8. Bb3

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Statistics from Lichess

31,146 games: White 51.6% / Draw 5.3% / Black 43.1%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
13,47213K
6,0916,091
4,0274,027
2,9362,936
2,3112,311
1,1831,183
762762
103103

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026

Engine evaluation

0.00 The position is about equal

Best play: 8... h6 9. N5f3 a5 10. a4 Be7 11. c3 c5 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Ne5

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, Main Line (ECO B17, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation, reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6 8. Bb3 (8 moves).

In 31,146 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.6%, Black 43.1% and 5.3% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 8…h6, in 43% of those games.

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

8…a5 scores best for Black: 49.2%, with Black winning 46.5% and White 48.1% of 2,311 games. The most played, 8…h6, scores 49.1% in 13K games, and 8…Qxd4 scores lowest: 36.1%. Stockfish's first choice is 8…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

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation, Smyslov Variation, Main Line (B17)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-karpov-variation-smyslov-variation-main-line

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