Caro-Kann Defense 3.Nc3 Variation


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This information is designed for chess beginners, and it will give you initial knowledge on the 3.Nc3 variation of the Caro-Kann Defense. The 3.Nc3 variation is one of the most popular in the Caro-Kann. Please read official data, text, and see video below. A short pgn file on the variation will follow.

3.Nc3 Variation: Official Data


Variation Name: 3.Nc3 variation of the Caro-Kann Defense
Variation Moves: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3
ECO Codes: B15-B19

3.Nc3 variation of Caro Kann Defense

The Nc3 variation of the Caro-Kann Defense is ECO codes B15-B19. Officially, this variation has 15 subvariations - all of them run through the following 3 lines: • 3.Nc3 -- dxe4, • 3.Nc3 -- g6, • 3.Nc3 -- b5. The line 3.Nc3 -- dxe4 is the most popular one; the second popular line is 3.Nc3 -- g6.

The 3.Nc3 variation is sometimes called the Modern variation. It is common at the chess master level and at the top level of chess. For example, in the year 2010 the variation was played by V. Ivanchuk (2764), T. Radjabov (2744), P. Eljanov (2742), J. Polgar (2686).

Caro-Kann Defense, 3.Nc3 Variation: Video


The most popular line of the Caro-Kann, 3.Nc3 variation is 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5. To get a feel of the 3.Nc3 variation of the Caro-Kann, the next video (3 min. 26 seconds) will show you its 1 proven line. The video will also show how to estimate your success in playing any chess opening:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.
• If the video displays an error, try to start and play it later.

To learn more, you are welcome to download a PGN file on the 3.Nc3 variation of the Caro-Kann. The file is 20 games played by chess masters in 2010. The games were analyzed by a computer program and sorted by lines. Best middlegame line for each game is shown:

Download the Caro-Kann, 3.Nc3 Variation PGN File (19 KB)

Note 1. The above file is to be downloaded from Google Drive. First click the above link to open, then click the download icon to download.
Note 2. To read the above PGN File and see chess games inside, you will need a PGN Viewer software. See Lesson 16, which explains how to download a decent freeware PGN Viewer Program.

To the Main Page of Caro-Kann Defense

On this page, you have learned the 3.Nc3 variation of the Caro-Kann Defense chess opening which is also called the Modern variation of the Caro-Kann...