Karpov Variation, Modern Variation
- 1.e4c6
- 2.d4d5
- 3.Nd2dxe4
- 4.Nxe4Nd7
- 5.Ng5
1,792 games
Caro-Kann line in which White meets 4...Nd7 with 5. Ng5, declining the knight exchange and aiming the knight at f7 and e6 for an active game.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Modern Variation
The Modern Variation, 5. Ng5, sidesteps the knight exchange that 4...Nd7 is meant to allow and posts the knight where it bears on f7 and e6. Black usually replies 5...Ngf6, and the main line runs 6. Bd3 e6 7. N1f3 Bd6 8. Qe2 h6 9. Ne4 Nxe4 10. Qxe4. The alternatives 5...e6 and 5...Ndf6, the Ivanchuk Defense, are less common. The final game of the Deep Blue–Kasparov rematch was played in this line. Engines rate the position as close to balanced.