B18

Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit

Chess diagram: Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit after 7. Ne6

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Statistics from Lichess

7,367 games: White 63.1% / Draw 2.7% / Black 34.2%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
6,7136,713
283283
138138
6262
5959
4343
3232
1414

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

Engine evaluation

−1.67 Black is clearly better

Even so, White scores 64.5% here in practice: wins plus half the draws in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500.

Best play: 7... fxe6 8. Bd3 Bf7 9. Ne5 Nf6 10. O-O g5 11. c3 Bg7 12. Qe2

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

Overview

Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit (ECO B18, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng5 Bg6 6. N1f3 h6 7. Ne6 (7 moves).

In 7,367 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 63.1%, Black 34.2% and 2.7% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…fxe6, in 91% of those games.

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Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit (B18)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-martian-gambit