Caro-Kann Defense

ECO B10–B19 Black's defense Intermediate

Black answers 1.e4 with ...c6 and then challenges the center with ...d5. It is similar to the French Defense, but the bishop on c8 is not blocked in.

Black

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White

Explanation

#	White	Black
1	e4	c6
2	d4	d5

Challenge the center with the d5 pawn, bring the c8 bishop out to f5 or g4, and only then play ...e6. Black stays solid all the way to the endgame.

Black is solid but develops a little slowly. If White pushes to e5, the bishop can be chased around, so keep an escape square in mind.