Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation
White gains space by closing the center with the e-pawn. Black should develop the light-squared bishop before shutting it in; White must support the advanced pawn chain when Black attacks its base.
Your plan as White
Keep your central space useful: develop before extending the pawn chain. Compare advancing e5, exchanging on d5, and defending e4 with a knight.
The opponent’s plan
Challenge e4 with ...d5. In closed centers, consider freeing the light-squared bishop before ...e6; use ...c5 to question White's center when prepared.
Watch out: Do not treat every variation alike: the Advance keeps the center closed, while the Panov can leave an isolated d-pawn and active piece play.
This variation: your plan
Your e5 pawn gives space and pushes Black's pieces back. Support d4, complete development and watch the ...c5 break against the base of your pawn chain.
Opening game…
Practice this line as White.
Play three moves from the line you watched. Hints draw an arrow on the board. Complete a fresh attempt without hints or retries to pass.
Sign in to practiceComplete all 6 practices across both colors for one lesson completion. Replaying a completed lesson earns no additional leaderboard completion.
Name, background and sources
Horatio Caro and Marcus Kann analyzed this defense in the 1880s. Their names identify the opening; its development involved many players.
Read the opening background on Chess.com ↗Lichess opening names and reference lines (CC0) · Caro–Kann background
ChessSum provides original explanatory notes. Related lines are labeled separately. Reference lines illustrate ideas; they are not a claim that every other legal move is wrong.
Watch how the center and piece development change. Each arrow previews the next move.