Caissa Codex
B13

Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense, Reifir-Spielmann Line

Chess diagram: Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense, Reifir-Spielmann Line after 6…Qb6

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Statistics from Lichess

2,638 games: White 44.4% / Draw 5.1% / Black 50.5%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
1,4971,497
694694
132132
7171
4343
3636
2828
2727

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

Engine evaluation

+0.56 White is slightly better

Best play: 7. cxd5 Nxd4 8. Nf3 Nxf3+ 9. Qxf3 Bd7 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. d6 h6

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

Overview

Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense, Reifir-Spielmann Line (ECO B13, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense, reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 Qb6 (6 moves).

In 2,638 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 44.4%, Black 50.5% and 5.1% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. Bxf6, in 57% of those games.

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How to play against the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense, Reifir-Spielmann Line

7. cxd5 scores best for White: 56.3%, with White winning 53.7% and Black 41.2% of 694 games. The most played answer, 7. Bxf6, scores lowest: 43.5% in 1,497 games. Stockfish's first choice is also 7. cxd5.

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

Other lines from the same position

Instead of 6. Bg5 Qb6, the position after Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense, Reifir-Spielmann Line (B13)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-panov-attack-modern-defense-reifir-spielmann-line

https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-panov-attack-modern-defense-reifir-spielmann-line