B18

Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit

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

Paravyan,D vs Le Quang Liem0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 12 • 2020★ Notable
Anand,V vs Andreikin,D1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Anand,V vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
WCh 2013 • 2013★ Notable
Radjabov,T vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
18th Amber Blindfold • 2009★ Notable
Ponomariov,R vs Karpov,Ana1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Topalov,V0-1
Amber Blindfold • 2008★ Notable
Psakhis,L vs Korchnoi,V1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Khalifman, Alexander1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Movsesian, Sergei vs Leko, Peter1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Dortmund • 1998★ Notable
Morozevich, Alexander vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable
Spassky, Boris V vs Larsen, Bent1-0
Tilburg • 1980★ Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Portisch, Lajos1-0
Tilburg • 1978★ Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1-0
World Championship 24th • 1961★ Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1-0
World Championship 23th • 1960★ Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Botvinnik, Mikhail0-1
World Championship 23th • 1960★ Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1-0
World Championship 23th • 1960★ Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 23th • 1960★ Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 23th • 1960★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
chess.com SpeedChess 2025 • 2025

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players