Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense
The Panov Modern Defense is 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6, bringing the queen's knight out to hit d4 before Black commits to ...e6. Black keeps the light bishop free for g4 or f5, while White decides between 6.Nf3, a pin with 6.Bg5, or releasing the tension with 6.cxd5.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6
- ECO
- B13
- Engine
- +0.21 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,404 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 54.8%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play 6.Nf3, the engine's choice, guarding d4 and meeting ...Bg4 with cxd5 and Qb3 against b7 and d5.
- Pin with 6.Bg5. After ...e6 and ...h6, Bxf6 Qxf6 cxd5 exd5 leaves Black with an isolated pawn on d5 instead.
- Push c5 when Black's bishop is still on f8, gaining queenside space and keeping the center closed.
- After 6.cxd5 Nxd5, put the bishop on b5 and the queen on a4 to pin the c6 knight.
Black
- Meet 6.Nf3 with ...Bg4, hitting the d4 pawn's defender and entering the Mieses Line.
- Against 6.Bg5 play ...e6 and ...h6, accepting the bishop trade for the pair of bishops.
- After 6.cxd5 recapture ...Nxd5 and develop ...Bf5 before ...e6, as the third engine line shows.
- If White pushes c5, strike back in the center with ...e5 or chip at c5 with ...b6.
Plans and pawn structure
With knights on c6 and f6, Black has the most pressure possible on d4 for move five. The pawn structure is still open: if White ever plays cxd5 and Black takes with the knight, White gets the isolated d4 pawn and plays for Bd3, short castling, a rook on e1 and a kingside attack. If White trades on f6 and d5 instead, the isolated pawn lands on Black's side at d5, and Black relies on the bishop pair. If White pushes c5, the center locks and Black looks for ...e5 or ...b6 to break it.
Where the engine's main line heads: White has an isolated queen pawn. White has an isolated d-pawn: no white pawns on the c- or e-file to support it.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.21: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.21 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qb3 Bxf3
- +0.12 6.Bg5 e6 7.Nf3 h6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6
- +0.02 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Nf3 Bf5 8.Bb5 e6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,404 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.8%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Panov Attack, Modern Defense, Mieses Line6.Nf3 · 749 games
- Panov-Botvinnik, Herzog Defense6.Bg5 · rare
How to play against it
As White, pick one plan and play it with purpose: 6.Nf3 with Qb3 ideas is the most testing. Do not leave d4 short of defenders. As Black, keep the light bishop out of the pawn chain until White commits, and be ready for both isolated-pawn structures, yours and White's.
Questions
What are the moves of the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense?
The Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense starts 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6. Its ECO code is B13.
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.21 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,404 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.8%. A flexible and active defense for Black that rewards players who understand isolated-pawn structures from both sides.
What is the main idea of the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense?
Black develops both knights first to put pressure on d4 and keeps the light bishop flexible. White's choice of 6.Nf3, 6.Bg5 or 6.cxd5 decides whether the isolated pawn ends up on d4 or on d5.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Nf3, with Bg5 and cxd5 close behind. 6.Nf3 guards d4 and invites ...Bg4, when cxd5 and Qb3 hit b7 and the d5 knight.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.