Chess Openings Lab
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Caro-Kann Defense: Tartakower Variation

The Tartakower Variation is 4...Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6, Black taking back on f6 with the e-pawn rather than the g-pawn. Black gets open diagonals and quick castling behind f7, g7 and h7, while White keeps the cleaner pawns and a four-against-three majority on the queenside.

Moves
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6
ECO
B15
Engine
+0.36 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
3,902 games in our lichess sample
White scores
52.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Choose 6.c3, the top engine move, and follow with Ne2 and Ng3 so the knight hits a bishop on f5.
  • Finish with Bd3 and short castling, keeping the position simple and heading for a good endgame.
  • For sharper play, 6.Be3 with Qe2 and long castling, as in the second engine line, goes for opposite-side attacks.

Black

  • Develop ...Bd6 and castle short early. The f6 pawn covers e5 and g5, so the king is well shielded.
  • Put the light bishop on f5, and when Ng3 hits it, drop back to e6 as the engine line shows.
  • If White castles long, use ...Qb6 and ...Qc7 to press on b2 and the c-file.
  • Bring a rook to e8 for play on the open e-file, and keep enough pieces on to avoid a dull endgame.

Plans and pawn structure

Black's kingside pawns on f7, f6, g7 and h7 cannot make a passed pawn, while White's queenside four can. So White wants trades and a long game: c3, Ne2-g3, Bd3, O-O and slowly c4 and b4. Black wants piece play first: ...Bd6, ...O-O, ...Re8, a bishop on e6 or f5, and sometimes ...Qc7 aiming at h2. With the 6.Be3 and long castling plan, both sides attack the other king and the structure matters less.

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 +0.36: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.36 6.c3 Bf5 7.Ne2 Bd6 8.Ng3 Be6
  2. +0.19 6.Be3 Qb6 7.Qe2 Bd6 8.O-O-O Qc7
  3. +0.17 6.Nf3 Bd6 7.Bd3 O-O 8.O-O Bg4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

3,902 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.1%.

under 120049.6%
1200–159951.5%
1600–199950.6%
2000 and up54.2%

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

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As White, play calmly with c3 and Ne2-g3, castle short, and trade pieces when Black offers. Do not lunge at the kingside early. As Black, castle fast and play actively, because every piece trade brings White closer to an endgame with the extra queenside pawn.

Questions

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

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

Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Tartakower Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.36 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 3,902 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.1%. A reliable choice for Black players who like quick development and active pieces, as long as they avoid drifting into passive endgames.

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

Black accepts doubled f-pawns but gets rapid development and a safe short-castled king. White tries to trade pieces and use the extra queenside pawn in an endgame, while Black seeks active piece play first.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is c3, with Be3 and Nf3 close behind. 6.c3 shores up d4 and prepares the knight trip Ne2-g3 that chases Black's light bishop.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.