Chess Openings Lab
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Caro-Kann Defense: Forgacs Variation

The Forgacs Variation is 5.Nxf6+ exf6 6.Bc4, putting the bishop on the a2-g8 diagonal against f7. White uses the healthy queenside majority and quick development, while Black relies on easy piece play down the open e-file.

Moves
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6 6.Bc4
ECO
B15
Engine
+0.13 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
554 games in our lichess sample
White scores
53.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Check with Qe2+ to force a block on the e-file and ease development, as in the third engine line.
  • Develop with Ne2 and Ng3 rather than Nf3, so the f-pawn can join later and the knight eyes f5 and e4.
  • Castle short and keep the queenside pawns healthy for an endgame where the 4v3 majority counts.

Black

  • Play ...Nd7 and ...Nb6 to hit the c4 bishop, as in the first engine line.
  • Develop ...Bd6 and castle short quickly, then put a rook on e8 to use the open e-file.
  • Answer Qe2+ with ...Be7 or ...Qe7, and do not be afraid of a queen trade.
  • Use ...a5 to gain queenside space and make White's majority harder to roll forward.

Plans and pawn structure

The structure has White's clean four-versus-three queenside majority against Black's doubled f-pawns. White wants simple development, then a slow queenside advance and an endgame. Black wants active pieces: ...Bd6, ...O-O, ...Re8 and ...Nb6 to trade or chase the c4 bishop. Black's f6 pawn guards e5 and g5, and Black can aim at White's king with ...Qc7 and ...Bd6 later. The bishop on c4 is White's best piece.

Where the engine's main line heads: White pawn d4, no e-pawns for White, no d-pawn for Black. White has a pawn on d4 and no e-pawn; Black has no d-pawn. White has more central space; Black's pieces are free and the d4 pawn is a target.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.13: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.13 6...Nd7 7.Ne2 Bd6 8.O-O O-O 9.Ng3
  2. +0.13 6...a5 7.c3 Bd6 8.Qe2+ Qe7 9.Qxe7+
  3. +0.17 6...Bd6 7.Qe2+ Be7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.O-O

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

554 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.4%.

1200–159945.1%
1600–199955.6%
2000 and up53.2%

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

How to play against it

As Black, chase the c4 bishop with ...Nd7-b6 and castle quickly. Do not leave the king on e8 with the e-file open, because Qe2+ is a constant nuisance. As White, aim for trades: the more pieces off, the stronger the queenside majority.

Questions

What are the moves of the Caro-Kann Defense: Forgacs Variation?

The Caro-Kann Defense: Forgacs Variation starts 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6 6.Bc4. Its ECO code is B15.

Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Forgacs Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.13 at depth 20, which is level. In 554 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.4%. A practical system for White players who like simple development and endgames with a better structure; Black is solid but must use piece activity.

What is the main idea of the Caro-Kann Defense: Forgacs Variation?

White places the bishop on c4 to aim at f7 and gain time on development. Black answers with ...Nd7-b6 to hit the bishop and quick castling to make use of the open e-file.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nd7, with a5 and Bd6 close behind. 6...Nd7 heads for b6 to hit the c4 bishop and develop at the same time.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.