B18
Caro-Kann Defense: Martian Gambit
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 Variation116B17 - Caro-Kann Defense: Karpov Variation509B19 - Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation474
Best Games
Paravyan,D vs Le Quang Liem0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 12 2020Notable
Anand,V vs Andreikin,D1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2014 2014Notable
Anand,V vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
WCh 2013 2013Notable
Radjabov,T vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
18th Amber Blindfold 2009Notable
Ponomariov,R vs Karpov,Ana1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz 2008Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Topalov,V0-1
Amber Blindfold 2008Notable
Psakhis,L vs Korchnoi,V1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2001Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Khalifman, Alexander1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. 1999Notable
Movsesian, Sergei vs Leko, Peter1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. 1999Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Dortmund 1998Notable
Morozevich, Alexander vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
FIDE-Wch k.o. 1997Notable
Spassky, Boris V vs Larsen, Bent1-0
Tilburg 1980Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Portisch, Lajos1-0
Tilburg 1978Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1-0
World Championship 24th 1961Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Botvinnik, Mikhail0-1
World Championship 23th 1960Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 23th 1960Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1-0
World Championship 23th 1960Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1-0
World Championship 23th 1960Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 23th 1960Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
chess.com SpeedChess 2025 2025