B16 Caro-Kann Defense: Finnish Variation
B16 holds two named lines, all under the name Caro-Kann Defense. It leaves B15 (Caro-Kann Defense: Main Line) with 4...h6. Black’s pieces and pawns attack three squares in White’s half, the fifth-highest count of the 10 Caro-Kann Defense codes. Black’s pieces and pawns attack three squares in White’s half, the fifth-lowest count of the 10 Caro-Kann Defense codes.
| # | White | Black |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | e4 | c6 |
| 2 | d4 | d5 |
| 3 | Nd2 | dxe4 |
| 4 | Nxe4 | h6 |
Moves only B16 plays
Same as B17 up to 4.Nxe4, then:
- 4...h6 The h-pawn advances to h6, covering g5, opening a line for the rook on h8.
Lines filed under B16
Both share the start 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 and then split two ways at White’s move 3.
| Name | After the shared start | Plies |
|---|---|---|
| Caro-Kann Defense: Finnish Variation | 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 h6 | 8 |
| Caro-Kann Defense: Bronstein-Larsen Variation | 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ gxf6 | 10 |
Caro-Kann Defense: Bronstein-Larsen Variation
- 3.Nc3 The knight leaves b1 for c3, opening a line for the rook on a1, guarding the pawn on e4.
- 3...dxe4 The d-pawn takes the pawn on e4, covering d3 and f3, opening a line for the queen on d8.
- 4.Nxe4 The knight on c3 takes the pawn on e4.
- 4...Nf6 The knight leaves g8 for f6, opening a line for the rook on h8, attacking the knight on e4.
- 5.Nxf6+ The knight on e4 takes the knight on f6, giving check.
The road to B16
- 1.e4 … 2...d5four earlier stops: B00, B10, B12
- 3.Nd2B12 Modern Variation
- 4.Nxe4B15 Main Line
- 4...h6B16
The position after 4...h6
White has brought out the knight on e4; Black has not yet moved a knight or bishop. White has a half-open e-file; Black a half-open d-file. White could capture with Bxh6. White is to move and has 42 legal moves.
Closest boards in other codes
| Code | Line | Differs on |
|---|---|---|
| B18 | Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation | four squares: f5, h6, h7, c8 |
| B12 | Caro-Kann Defense | five squares: b1, e4, h6, d7, h7 |
| B13 | Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation | five squares: b1, e4, d5, h6, h7 |
| B10 | Caro-Kann Defense | seven squares: b1, d2, d4, e4, h6, d7, h7 |
| A40 | Queen’s Pawn Game | eight squares: b1, e2, e4, c6, h6, c7, d7, h7 |
| A41 | Queen’s Pawn Game | eight squares: b1, e2, e4, c6, d6, h6, c7, h7 |
| A43 | Benoni Defense: Old Benoni | eight squares: b1, e2, e4, c5, c6, h6, d7, h7 |