B10

Caro-Kann Defense

Key moves: 1.e4 c6

The Caro-Kann Defence is a solid and reliable response to 1.e4. Black prepares ...d5 with the support of c6, aiming for a solid pawn structure without the bad bishop problem of the French Defence. It's considered one of the most reliable openings for Black.

History & Notable Players

Named after Horatio Caro and Marcus Kann. It became extremely popular through the games of Anatoly Karpov, who used it as his primary weapon against 1.e4. Modern practitioners include Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana.

Best Games

Carlsen,M vs Praggnanandhaa,R1-0
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2024★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Firouzja,Alireza1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Caruana,F1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Ponomariov,R vs Keymer,Vincent1/2-1/2
Germany Grand Prix 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Adams,Mi vs Keymer,Vincent1-0
53rd Biel GMT Blitz 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Murzin,Volodar1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 16 • 2020★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Praggnanandhaa,R0-1
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2018★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Navara,D0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 2008★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Kasimdzhanov,R vs Khenkin,I1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Kobese,W vs Leko,P1-0
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Kobese,W vs Leko,P0-1
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Leko,P vs Karpov,An1-0
Amber Rapidplay • 2001★ Notable
Adams, Michael vs Dreev, Alexey1-0
FIDE-Wch k.o. g/15+10 • 1999★ Notable
Kunte, Abhijit vs Ponomariov, Ruslan0-1
Wch U20 • 1997★ Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 2nd • 1993★ Notable
Kortschnoj, Viktor vs Serper, Grigory1-0
Wch Team • 1993★ Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Karpov, Anatoly0-1
Linares • 1992★ Notable

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