Don Chess

Learn the Caro-Kann Defense

The defence for people who hate losing: rock-solid pawns and a bishop that doesn’t get locked in. Underrated – until you face it.

You play with Black. How you learn it with Don Chess: watch first, then play it with an arrow, then from memory – with spaced repetition until it sticks. Free, no sign-up.

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The main line

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7

B19 · Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Spassky Variation

The position after the main line

The moves explained

Why is each move played? The explanations come from the opening trainer – there you play the moves yourself afterwards.

  1. 1.e4 Occupies the centre with a pawn on e4.
  2. 1…c6 Prepares the pawn move to d5.
  3. 2.d4 Occupies the centre with a pawn on d4.
  4. 2…d5 Attacks the pawn on e4 – the fight for the centre begins.
  5. 3.Nc3 Develops the knight to c3 – pieces out first, then attack.
  6. 3…dxe4 Takes the pawn on e4.
  7. 4.Nxe4 Takes back on e4 – material is level again.
  8. 4…Bf5 Develops the bishop to f5 – pieces out first, then attack.
  9. 5.Ng3 The knight was attacked and goes to safety on g3.
  10. 5…Bg6 The bishop was attacked and goes to safety on g6.
  11. 6.h4 Gains space with the pawn on h4.
  12. 6…h6 Prevention: takes important squares away from the opponent's pieces.
  13. 7.Nf3 Develops the knight to f3 – pieces out first, then attack.
  14. 7…Nd7 Develops the knight to d7 – pieces out first, then attack.
  15. 8.h5 Gains space with the pawn on h5.
  16. 8…Bh7 The bishop was attacked and goes to safety on h7.

Idea and plans

The idea

1…c6 prepares …d5 without locking in the c8 bishop. Solid, with a healthy pawn structure.

Plan for White

In the Advance (3.e5) use the kingside space; in the main lines develop quickly and press on e6/f7.

Plan for Black

Develop the bishop to f5 or g4, then …e6, …c5, and aim for a safe endgame.

Tip

Get the bishop out before …e6 – otherwise it is shut in, as in the French.

The 10 lines in the course

Grey: the moves shared with the main line. Bold: the move where the line leaves it.

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More openings