The Tartakower Variation is a variation of the Caro-Kann, Classical Variation, catalogued as ECO B15. The line runs 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is White to move after five moves. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file; the e-file file is fully open.
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.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 5 Caro-Kann, Classical Variation variations →
The Tartakower Variation goes 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6. It is a variation of the Caro-Kann, Classical Variation and is catalogued as ECO B15.
The Tartakower Variation is ECO B15. 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 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6 at +0.29 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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 one minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file; the e-file file is fully open.