The line
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. Nc3 Bf5 7. O-O e6 8. Bf4 Be7 9. Re1 O-O
Your moves, explained
- 1... c6 Prepares d5 without blocking your dark-squared bishop.
- 2... d5 Challenges e4 and gives Black a solid pawn structure.
- 3... cxd5 Keeps a symmetric structure and opens the c-file for future play.
- 4... Nc6 Develops with tempo and reinforces your central pawn.
- 5... Nf6 Controls e4 and completes your knight development first.
- 6... Bf5 Activates your light-squared bishop outside the pawn chain.
- 7... e6 Shores up d5 and prepares to bring out the bishop on e7.
- 8... Be7 Completes development and sets up a quick kingside castle.
- 9... O-O Castling finishes development and connects your rooks.
Key moments in the video
- 0:06 King's Pawn opens
- 0:09 Caro-Kann starts
- 0:50 Exchange variation
- 0:52 Recapture with c-pawn
- 1:14 Knights before bishops
- 1:39 Active bishop to f5
- 1:52 Solid bishop retreat
- 1:54 Castle to safety
Want the theory behind it? Read our Caro-Kann Exchange Variation guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the moves of the Caro-Kann Exchange Variation?
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. Nc3 Bf5 7. O-O e6 8. Bf4 Be7 9. Re1 O-O. You play Black; In the Exchange Caro-Kann, develop knights before bishops, claim f5 for your bishop, then tuck away with e6 and Be7 before castling.
How do I practise the Caro-Kann Exchange Variation?
Watch GothamChess's video, then play the line yourself on the board on this page. You make all 9 of Black's moves; a wrong move is undone with a hint, and the key moments jump the video to where GothamChess explains each move.
Do I need an account?
No. The practice is free and runs in your browser. Sign up only if you want Chess DNA to find the openings that lose you games in your own Chess.com or Lichess history.
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The video is embedded from YouTube and belongs to GothamChess. Chess DNA is not affiliated with the creator. Updated Nov 10, 2026.