Chessy
Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Botvinnik-Carls Defense
In the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Botvinnik-Carls Defense, White grabs space early and you need a clear reply as Black. The opening moves are 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5, and the position quickly becomes a test of timing, central pressure, and piece development. Your drill here is to find the most accurate continuation and learn what White usually tries next, so you can handle this structure confidently instead of drifting into a passive game.
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Create a free account →What the position asks from Black
After 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5, White has advanced the centre, but your counterplay is immediate. The key practical idea is simple: challenge White’s space and keep your pieces active. This is not a position where you want to sit back and wait. If you stay alert, you can force White to make decisions while you develop smoothly and keep pressure on the centre.
The engine move to know
Stockfish rates this +0.43, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here. The engine’s best move is Nf3, continuing Nf3 Nc6 dxc5 Bg4. In the drill, focus on why that reply is so precise: it keeps White coordinated and preserves the fight for the centre instead of letting White build a free, comfortable setup.
What the database says White tries
Across 4,948,486 games at this exact position, White scores 45.1%, draws 3.9%, and Black wins 50.9%. The most played continuations are c3, Nf3, dxc5, Bb5+, Be3, and c4. That tells you this position is very common and worth learning well. You will meet several reasonable plans, but the drill should help you recognise which ones are most important and how to answer them consistently.
The moves to punish
Two moves are already flagged as mistakes here: Bb5+ and Be3. Both are inaccuracies and lose about 0.5 pawns; in each case, the better move was Nf3. That is useful for practical play. If White wastes time with one of these bishop moves, you should be ready to take over the initiative by keeping your development on track and maintaining pressure on White’s centre and king safety.
Results across 4,948,486 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| c3 | 2,616,640 | 44.9% |
| Nf3 | 1,060,177 | 44.4% |
| dxc5 | 594,886 | 46.6% |
| Bb5+ | 196,946 | 45.5% |
| Be3 | 151,554 | 45.1% |
| c4 | 111,608 | 49.9% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the main idea for Black in this line?
You answer White’s space grab with active play against the centre. After 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5, the point is to challenge White immediately instead of defending passively.
What move should I know first in this position?
The engine’s best move is Nf3, and the continuation shown is Nf3 Nc6 dxc5 Bg4. That is the move to build your drill around.
Is this position good for Black?
The engine gives +0.43, a small edge for White, so you are slightly worse. The database result is better for Black overall, but you still need accurate play in the position.
Which White moves should I watch out for?
The most played continuations include c3, Nf3, dxc5, Bb5+, Be3, and c4. Bb5+ and Be3 are marked as inaccuracies, both losing about 0.5 pawns.
How many games feature the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Botvinnik-Carls Defense?
Over 5 million Lichess games have reached the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Botvinnik-Carls Defense position. White wins 45.1%, Black wins 50.9%, with 3.9% draws — based on real rated games.