Chess Openings Lab
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Caro-Kann Defense: Euwe Attack

The Euwe Attack is 2.b3, preparing to fianchetto the queen's bishop on b2 against the Caro-Kann. White aims the bishop at e5 and the long diagonal, while Black is free to take the center at once with ...d5.

Moves
1.e4 c6 2.b3
ECO
B10
Engine
−0.30 · a slight edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
560 games in our lichess sample
White scores
46.2%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Put the bishop on b2 quickly, then play d4 to anchor the center, as the top engine line shows.
  • Develop Bd3 and Nf3 and castle short, aiming pieces at Black's kingside.
  • If Black plays ...e5, use Bb2 and the tactic Bxe5 to pressure the pawn.

Black

  • Play 2...d5 and recapture ...cxd5 after exd5, getting a free central pawn.
  • Use ...a6 and ...Nc6, from the first engine line, to keep White's pieces off b5.
  • The ...e5 setup is fine, but meet Bxe5 with ...Nxe4 and the ...Qe7 pin on the e-file.
  • Develop the light bishop to f5 or g4 before ...e6 to keep it active.

Plans and pawn structure

Since White spends a tempo on b3, Black takes the center. After ...d5 exd5 cxd5, Black has a central pawn on d5 and White will play d4 and Bb2, but the b2 bishop then faces its own d4 pawn. Black's plan is quick development with ...Nc6, ...Nf6 and ...Bg4 or ...Bf5, with pressure on d4. White wants to castle, put a knight on e5 and play on the kingside.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.30: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.30 2...d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bb2 a6 5.d4
  2. −0.09 2...e5 3.Bb2 Nf6 4.Bxe5 Nxe4 5.Qe2
  3. +0.13 2...d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 e5 5.dxe5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

560 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 46.2%.

under 120045.1%
1200–159952.3%
1600–199940.2%
2000 and up53.4%

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

How to play against it

As Black, take the center with ...d5 and develop normally. Do not rush ...e5 without calculating the Bxe5 tactic. As White, avoid passive moves: if you play b3, be ready to fight for d4 soon with d4 and Nf3, or Black's center will cramp the b2 bishop.

Questions

What are the moves of the Caro-Kann Defense: Euwe Attack?

The Caro-Kann Defense: Euwe Attack starts 1.e4 c6 2.b3. Its ECO code is B10.

Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Euwe Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.30 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 560 lichess games from our sample, White scored 46.2%. An offbeat system that gives Black an easy game; best for White players who want to avoid theory at the cost of any opening edge.

What is the main idea of the Caro-Kann Defense: Euwe Attack?

White prepares Bb2 to control e5 and the long diagonal. The plan is slow, so Black can take the center with ...d5 and get comfortable play.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is d5, with e5 and d6 close behind. 2...d5 grabs the center at once, taking advantage of White's slow second move.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.