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A rock-solid answer to 1.e4 that keeps the pawn structure healthy.
The Caro-Kann challenges the centre with ...d5 while keeping a sound structure and a good square for the light bishop. Learn the main line and the Advance variation, and the ideas that make it so reliable.
Understand the one idea that defines the Caro-Kann.
How ...c6 first frees the light-squared bishop.
When White plays e5, get the bishop out first.
Interactive lessons, checkpoints and spaced-repetition drills — plus alerts when you leave your preparation in your own games.
1.e4 c61...c6 prepares ...d5 to hit the centre. Unlike the French Defence (1...e6), it does not block in the light-squared bishop — that bishop will come out to f5 or g4 before Black plays ...e6. Solving the "bad bishop" is the whole point of the Caro-Kann.
2.d4 d5After 2.d4 d5 Black directly challenges e4. White must decide: exchange, advance, or defend the pawn. Whatever White chooses, Black keeps a solid, symmetrical-looking structure with no weaknesses.