B16

Caro-Kann Defense: Finnish Variation

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

Rublevsky,S vs Ponomariov,R1/2-1/2
WCh Candidates s/f • 2007★ Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Timman, Jan H1/2-1/2
VAM Hoogeveen 2nd • 1998★ Notable
Malakhov, Vladimir vs Leko, Peter1/2-1/2
Wch U14 • 1993★ Notable
Kasimdzhanov, Rustam vs Luna, Mariano1/2-1/2
Wch U16 • 1993★ Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Riga Interzonal • 1979★ Notable
Duda,J vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
Titled Tue 27th Feb Late • 2024
Firouzja,Alireza vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
Bullet Chess Winners 2023 • 2023
Adams,Mi vs Short,N1-0
98th ch-GBR Playoff • 2011
Tiviakov,S vs Short,N1/2-1/2
Corus A • 2010
Short, Nigel D vs Seirawan, Yasser0-1
Amber-rapid 2nd • 1993
Adams, Michael vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1-0
Roquebrune • 1992
Leko, Peter vs Hoffmann, Michael1/2-1/2
Dortmund-D • 1991
Short, Nigel D vs Larsen, Bent1-0
Hastings8899 • 1988
Chiburdanidze, Maia vs Short, Nigel D1-0
Dortmund • 1983
Tal, Mihail vs Bronstein, David I1-0
Tbilisi sim m • 1982
Spassky, Boris V vs Larsen, Bent0-1
Clarin • 1979
Kavalek, Lubomir vs Larsen, Bent0-1
Tilburg • 1979
Tal, Mihail vs Larsen, Bent1-0
Las Palmas • 1977
Smyslov, Vassily vs Pachman, Ludek1/2-1/2
Amsterdam Interzonal • 1964
Pilnik, Herman vs Bronstein, David I1/2-1/2
Gothenburg Interzonal • 1955

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