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: Classical Variation › Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit
- Chess Codex
- King's Pawn Game B00
- Caro-Kann Defense B10
- Caro-Kann Defense B12
- Caro-Kann Defense B12
- Modern Variation B12
- Caro-Kann Defense: Main Line B15
- Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation B18
- Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit B18 you are here
Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit
Overview
Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit is a sacrificial opening line filed under ECO B18 in the Semi-Open Games group. The defining idea is the early concession of material to seize the initiative and unbalance the position.
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.
It is reached after 13 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng5 Bg6 6. N1f3 h6 7. Ne6.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- B18
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 13
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
7,367 games · White 63.1% / Draw 2.7% / Black 34.2%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| fxe6 | 6,713 | |
| Qd6 | 283 | |
| Qa5+ | 138 | |
| Qd7 | 62 | |
| Qd5 | 59 | |
| Nf6 | 43 | |
| Qb6 | 32 | |
| f6 | 14 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:46:51
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