The Maróczy Variation, Maróczy Gambit is a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense, catalogued as ECO B12. The line runs 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3 dxe4 4. fxe4 e5 5. Nf3 exd4 6. Bc4, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on d4). White is ahead in development, with two minor pieces out to Black's zero, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after six moves. White’s e-file pawn is isolated.
On the Caro-Kann Defense generally: A solid defense to 1.e4 that leads to sound pawn structures. Popular at all levels.
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 38 Caro-Kann Defense variations →
The Maróczy Variation, Maróczy Gambit goes 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3 dxe4 4. fxe4 e5 5. Nf3 exd4 6. Bc4. It is a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense and is catalogued as ECO B12.
The Maróczy Variation, Maróczy Gambit is ECO B12. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Caro-Kann Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3 dxe4 4. fxe4 e5 5. Nf3 exd4 6. Bc4 at +0.77 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on d4). White is ahead in development, with two minor pieces out to Black's zero, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. White’s e-file pawn is isolated.