What Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack puts on the board
Material is level, with black to move.
White has central pawns on d4; Black has central pawns on d5.
White can still castle either side; Black can still castle either side.
The c-file is half-open for Black, giving that side a natural pressure lane.
What White is trying to build
Use the space advantage to develop actively and decide whether e5 should be held or exchanged.
Watch the timing of c4 or f4 pawn breaks.
How Black challenges it
Develop the light-squared bishop before closing it behind …e6.
Attack White’s centre with …c5 and complete kingside development.
The tactical pattern to recognise
Pressure against d4 after …c5.
A bishop developed to f5 can be chased, creating useful tempos or weaknesses.
What to check before committing
Spending several moves hunting the f5 bishop without finishing development.
Playing passively after achieving a sound pawn structure.
Choose the next book move
Preview a move to see the resulting position and the idea behind it. Select it to continue on the same board.
Reference links and alternate move orders
Move orders
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c41.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc31.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e61.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nf3 e6 7.c51.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Nf3 e6 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Bb5 Bg41.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Nf3 e6 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Bb5 Bd6 9.Bg5 O-O 10.O-O
Related variations
- Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack
- Caro-Kann Defense: Advance
- Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation
- Caro-Kann Defense: Alekhine Gambit
- Caro-Kann Defense: Alien Gambit
- Caro-Kann Defense: Apocalypse Attack
- Caro-Kann Defense: Breyer Variation
- Caro-Kann Defense: Bronstein-Larsen Variation
- Caro-Kann Defense: Campomanes Attack
- Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation
- Caro-Kann Defense: De Bruycker Defense
- Caro-Kann Defense: Dinic Gambit