Caro-Kann Classical — Chess Library

Black develops the light-squared bishop OUTSIDE the pawn chain before playing e6 — the one move that separates the Caro-Kann from the French.

Lesson

White to move. Main line: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7

Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation (B19). The line runs 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 — the move order matters, and this is the one the theory follows.

By playing ...Bf5 before ...e6, Black solves the bad-bishop problem that defines many French structures. White uses Ng3 and h4 to gain space and ask the bishop where it belongs.

Black’s next priorities are ...e6, ...Ngf6 and safe castling; White chooses between h5, Bd3 and a quieter c3 setup. The line is solid because both sides finish development without tactical debt.