Chess Openings Lab
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Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Botvinnik-Carls Defense

The Botvinnik-Carls Defense is 3.e5 c5, where Black spends a second move on the c-pawn to hit d4 at once. White can keep the chain with c3, take on c5, or play Nf3, while Black aims for ...Nc6, ...Bg4 and fast pressure on the center.

Moves
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5
ECO
B12
Engine
+0.37 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
11,357 games in our lichess sample
White scores
47.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.dxc5 gives up the center to win time, with c3 and Qxf3 if Black takes on f3.
  • 4.c3 holds d4; Bb5 then pins the c6 knight and Bxc6+ can double Black's pawns.
  • 4.dxc5 with a3 and b4 holds the extra pawn with gain of space, while Qg4 hits g7.

Black

  • ...Nc6 and ...Bg4 pressure d4 and the f3 knight, and the bishop can trade on f3.
  • ...e6 and ...Bxc5 win back the pawn after dxc5, with active play.
  • ...Qa5 or ...Qb6 adds pressure on d4 and b2 and can pin against the king after Bb5.

Plans and pawn structure

Black's c8 bishop is free, and the c5 pawn makes the center fluid. If White takes on c5 or exchanges on f3, the game opens and Black's pieces get active squares. If White holds with c3, the structure becomes a French Advance where Black has not yet played ...e6, so ...Bg4 or ...Bf5 comes first. White's assets are the e5 space wedge and a kingside attack with Qg4.

Where the engine's main line heads: White has doubled c-pawns. White's c-pawns are doubled, usually after ...Bxc3 bxc3. In return White keeps the bishop pair and a solid center.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.37: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.37 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.dxc5 Bg4 6.c3 Bxf3
  2. +0.27 4.c3 Nc6 5.Bb5 Qa5 6.Bxc6+ bxc6
  3. +0.25 4.dxc5 e6 5.a3 Bxc5 6.b4 Bb6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

11,357 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 47.6%.

under 120050.6%
1200–159946.6%
1600–199946.9%
2000 and up50.2%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

Play 4.Nf3 and develop fast; the center is about to open and pieces matter more than pawns. Be ready to recapture on f3 with the queen. Avoid holding c5 with too many pawn moves if Black's pieces are already active. White scores 47.6% here overall, so this is a respected reply.

Questions

What are the moves of the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Botvinnik-Carls Defense?

The Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Botvinnik-Carls Defense starts 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5. Its ECO code is B12.

Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Botvinnik-Carls Defense good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.37 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 11,357 lichess games from our sample, White scored 47.6%. A dynamic option for Black players who like open games; White must be comfortable giving up the d4 pawn for time.

What is the main idea of the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Botvinnik-Carls Defense?

Black uses the c-pawn a second time to attack d4 before playing ...e6. The idea is that the c8 bishop stays free, and Black gets quick piece play with ...Nc6 and ...Bg4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf3, with c3 and dxc5 close behind. 4.Nf3 develops and prepares to meet ...Nc6 with dxc5, inviting an open game.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.