Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation
Black develops the bishop actively after exchanging on e4. White can gain time by attacking that bishop, but must check whether pawn advances leave weak squares around the king.
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
After ...dxe4, recapture with the knight and complete development. A knight on g3 may attack Black's bishop, but the chase should help your development rather than replace it.
Opening game…
Practice this line as White.
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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.