The Main Line is a variation of the Caro-Kann, Panov-Botvinnik Attack, catalogued as ECO B14. The line runs 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Nf3 e6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bb5 Bd6 9. Bg5 O-O 10. O-O, reaching the position shown below after 19 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move after ten moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; White’s d-file pawn is isolated; Black’s d-file pawn is isolated; the c- and e-files files are fully open.
On the Caro-Kann, Panov-Botvinnik Attack generally: White transforms the Caro-Kann into an isolated queen's pawn position with c4. A dynamic approach that creates open piece play.
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 11 Caro-Kann, Panov-Botvinnik Attack variations →
The Main Line goes 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Nf3 e6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bb5 Bd6 9. Bg5 O-O 10. O-O. It is a variation of the Caro-Kann, Panov-Botvinnik Attack and is catalogued as ECO B14.
The Main Line is ECO B14. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Caro-Kann, Panov-Botvinnik Attack.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Nf3 e6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bb5 Bd6 9. Bg5 O-O 10. O-O at +0.06 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; White’s d-file pawn is isolated; Black’s d-file pawn is isolated; the c- and e-files files are fully open.