B17
Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov 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.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
B10 - Caro-Kann Defense1159B11 - Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation380B12 - Caro-Kann Defense2323B13 - Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack785B14 - Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack327B15 - Caro-Kann Defense510B16 - Caro-Kann Defense: Finnish Variation116B18 - Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit332B19 - Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation474
Best Games
Carlsen,M vs Morozevich,A1/2-1/2
8th Tal Memorial 2013Notable
Hou Yifan vs Ruan Lufei1/2-1/2
WCh Women 2010Notable
Adams,Mi vs Short,N1/2-1/2
2nd London Chess Classic 2010Notable
Leko,P vs Morozevich,A1-0
18th Amber Rapid 2009Notable
Svidler,P vs Morozevich,A1/2-1/2
WCh 2007Notable
Leko,P vs Bareev,E1-0
WCh Candidates Finals 2007Notable
Leko,P vs Bareev,E1-0
WCh Candidates Finals 2007Notable
Polgar,Ju vs Anand,V0-1
WCh-FIDE 2005Notable
Shirov,A vs Topalov,V1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2003Notable
Ponomariov,R vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
Dual of the WCh 2002Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Karpov,An1/2-1/2
Amber Rapidplay 2001Notable
Anand,V vs Macieja,B1-0
FIDE WCh KO 2000Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Anand,V1-0
Amber Rapidplay 2000Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 1999Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Ivanchuk, Vassily0-1
Linares 1998Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 7th 1998Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Karpov, Anatoly1-0
Amber-blind 7th 1998Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 7th 1998Notable
Topalov, Veselin vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Linares 1998Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Anand, Viswanathan1-0
Linares 1998Notable