The Short Variation is a variation of the Caro-Kann, Classical Variation, catalogued as ECO B18. The line runs 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. Nh3, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after six moves.
On the Caro-Kann, Classical Variation generally: The most traditional Caro-Kann line. Black develops the bishop to f5 before playing ...e6, avoiding the 'bad bishop' problem.
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The Short Variation goes 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. Nh3. It is a variation of the Caro-Kann, Classical Variation and is catalogued as ECO B18.
The Short Variation is ECO B18. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Caro-Kann, Classical Variation.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. Nh3 at +0.19 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move.