Chess Openings·Caro-Kann Defence, Two Knights Defence

Semi-Open Game

Caro-Kann Defence, Two Knights Defence

1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3

Step through

5 / 5
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

A sturdy set-up that waits for the opponent to overreach. Big pieces come off early and the game heads for an endgame. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on e4 · d5. Nothing has been captured yet. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
5 moves
To move
Black
Legal replies
30
Minor pieces out
White 2 · Black 0
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3p4/4P3/2N2N2/PPPP1PPP/R1BQKB1R b KQkq - 1 3

Move by move

Each move spelled out: which piece went from where to where.

  1. 1.e4White: Pawn e2→e4
  2. 1…c6Black: Pawn c7→c6
  3. 2.Nc3White: Knight b1→c3
  4. 2…d5Black: Pawn d7→d5
  5. 3.Nf3White: Knight g1→f3

Nearby lines

first 2 moves shared

Caro-Kann Defencee4 c6Caro-Kann Defence, Advance Variation…d4 d5 e5Caro-Kann Defence, Fantasy Variation…d4 d5 f3Caro-Kann Defence, Panov Attack…d4 d5 exd5 cxd5Caro-Kann Defence, Exchange Variation…d4 d5 exd5 cxd5Caro-Kann Defence, Classical Variation…d4 d5 Nc3 dxe4

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Caro-Kann Defence, Two Knights Defence?

1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Semi-Open Game — 1.e4 met by anything other than 1…e5.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 5 moves it is Black to move.