The Classical Caro-Kann arises after 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 (ECO B18). Black exchanges the central pawn and immediately develops the light-squared bishop to the active f5 - which is the whole point of the opening.
Black gets an exceptionally solid, healthy structure with no weaknesses; White gets a small edge in space and development. White often chases the bishop with h4-h5 and fights for the initiative on the kingside.
This is the classical, reliable system that Capablanca, Botvinnik, Karpov and Anand all used for decades. The benchmark of solid play with Black against 1.e4.
Drag a piece onto the board, or click a piece and then click the squares. The cross beside the pieces sweeps every piece of that colour off the board, and a single piece can be dragged off the edge.
The pieces will be arranged into the chosen pattern.
It is the mating side to move. Find mate in one.
Openings, endgame positions and breakthrough studies - the set-up appears on the board.
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