Caro-Kann Defense
Meet 1.e4 with ...c6 and ...d5. Practice Black’s moves in five common structures, with attention to the light-squared bishop.
Study this opening
Classical development
Black develops the bishop before ...e6 closes its diagonal. When the knight attacks it, ...Bg6 keeps the bishop, and ...Nd7 supports further development.
Advance variation
White takes space with e5. Black challenges the base of the pawn chain with ...c5 after developing the bishop outside it.
Exchange variation
The exchange opens the c-file. Develop actively; a roughly balanced pawn structure does not mean the position has no plans or tactics.
Panov attack
White’s c4 changes the center. Black develops with pressure on the c3 knight and prepares to resolve the pawn tension without falling behind in development.
Two Knights
Black trades the bishop for the knight after h3 and builds a central structure. The bishop pair is a real concession, so the resulting piece activity matters.