Chess opening · ECO B12

Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation

The Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation starts 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5. It ranks #78 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5. Black to move.

Move by move

  1. 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
  2. 1... c6Black advances the c-pawn to c6.
  3. 2. d4White pushes the d-pawn two squares to d4, staking a claim in the center.
  4. 2... d5Black pushes the d-pawn two squares to d5, staking a claim in the center.
  5. 3. e5White advances the e-pawn to e5, staking a claim in the center.

What players choose next, by rating

The three most common Black moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Among players rated under 1200, the most popular next move is e6; among players rated 2000 and up, it is Bf5.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
Under 1200e6 53%Bf5 29%f6 13%
1200–1399Bf5 55%e6 24%f6 8%
1400–1599Bf5 79%e6 13%f6 3%
1600–1799Bf5 84%e6 7%c5 6%
1800–1999Bf5 84%c5 9%e6 5%
2000 and upBf5 79%c5 13%e6 3%

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