Karpov Variation, Modern Variation, Ivanchuk Defense
- 1.e4c6
- 2.d4d5
- 3.Nd2dxe4
- 4.Nxe4Nd7
- 5.Ng5Ndf6
173 games
A rare Caro-Kann line in which Black answers 5. Ng5 with 5...Ndf6, opening the c8 bishop's diagonal; engines give White a slight edge.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Ivanchuk Defense
The Ivanchuk Defense, 5...Ndf6, answers the Ng5 sortie by putting the queen's knight on f6 instead of the king's knight. This opens the c8-h3 diagonal for the light-squared bishop at once and leaves the g8-knight to develop later. The line is rarely seen. White most often continues 6. N1f3, with 6. Bc4 and 6. Bd3 as the main alternatives. Engines give White a slight edge.