B17

Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation

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 Morozevich,A1/2-1/2
8th Tal Memorial • 2013★ Notable
Hou Yifan vs Ruan Lufei1/2-1/2
WCh Women • 2010★ Notable
Adams,Mi vs Short,N1/2-1/2
2nd London Chess Classic • 2010★ Notable
Leko,P vs Morozevich,A1-0
18th Amber Rapid • 2009★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Morozevich,A1/2-1/2
WCh • 2007★ Notable
Leko,P vs Bareev,E1-0
WCh Candidates Finals • 2007★ Notable
Leko,P vs Bareev,E1-0
WCh Candidates Finals • 2007★ Notable
Polgar,Ju vs Anand,V0-1
WCh-FIDE • 2005★ Notable
Shirov,A vs Topalov,V1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid • 2003★ Notable
Ponomariov,R vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
Dual of the WCh • 2002★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Karpov,An1/2-1/2
Amber Rapidplay • 2001★ Notable
Anand,V vs Macieja,B1-0
FIDE WCh KO • 2000★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Anand,V1-0
Amber Rapidplay • 2000★ Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 1999★ Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 7th • 1998★ Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Karpov, Anatoly1-0
Amber-blind 7th • 1998★ Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 7th • 1998★ Notable
Topalov, Veselin vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Linares • 1998★ Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Anand, Viswanathan1-0
Linares • 1998★ Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Ivanchuk, Vassily0-1
Linares • 1998★ Notable

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players