Chess opening · ECO B10

Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack

The Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack starts 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3. It ranks #142 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3. 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. Nc3White develops the queenside knight to c3.
  4. 2... d5Black pushes the d-pawn two squares to d5, staking a claim in the center.
  5. 3. Nf3White develops the kingside knight to f3.

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 1200–1399, the most popular next move is dxe4; among players rated 2000 and up, it is Bg4.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
1200–1399dxe4 40%Bg4 30%Nf6 17%
1400–1599dxe4 51%Bg4 25%d4 15%
1600–1799dxe4 49%Bg4 27%d4 19%
1800–1999dxe4 49%Bg4 27%d4 17%
2000 and upBg4 45%dxe4 38%d4 9%

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