Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack
The Accelerated Panov Attack is 1.e4 c6 2.c4, where White puts a second pawn on the light squares to fight for d5 before Black plays ...d5. Black usually strikes with ...d5 anyway, while White aims for an open game with an isolated pawn or quick piece play.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c6 2.c4
- ECO
- B10
- Engine
- +0.16 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 4,695 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 53.5%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- After 2...d5 3.exd5 cxd5, play 4.d4 to reach a Panov center, with ...e6 and ...Bb4+ next.
- Taking again with cxd5 heads for the Modern Variation, where Black wins the d5 pawn back with ...Nf6.
- Nc3 and Nf3 hit d5 and keep the option of d4 for later.
Black
- 2...d5 is the main reply; trading on d5 opens the position and frees Black's pieces.
- 2...e5 is a sharper option, gaining space while the c4 pawn leaves d4 weak.
- ...e6 followed by ...d5 builds a French type center against White's c4.
Plans and pawn structure
The game usually becomes an open position after the d5 exchanges. White can play d4 to reach an isolated d-pawn structure with active pieces, or take on d5 again and aim to recover with quick development. Black needs ...Nf6, ...Nc6 and ...e6 to pressure d4 or d5. Because c4 has left d4 behind, Black's knights can use d4 in lines where White delays that move.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.16: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.16 2...d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.d4 e6 5.Nf3
- +0.40 2...e5 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Nxe5
- +0.49 2...e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.d4 dxe4 5.Nxe4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
4,695 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.5%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Accelerated Panov Attack, Modern Variation2...d5 · 1,047 games
- Accelerated Panov Attack, Open Variation2...e5 · rare
- Accelerated Panov Attack, Van Weersel Attack2...d5 · rare
How to play against it
Answer with 2...d5. After the trades on d5, develop fast with ...Nf6 and ...Nc6 and win back any pawn White takes on d5. Do not leave a pawn on d5 under pressure from c4 and e4 for long; the exchanges simplify your task.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5.
Questions
What are the moves of the Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack?
The Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack starts 1.e4 c6 2.c4. Its ECO code is B10.
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.16 at depth 20, which is level. In 4,695 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.5%. Good for White players who like open, active positions; Black must handle open lines and know the ...Nf6 recapture plan.
What is the main idea of the Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack?
White plays c4 before d4 to attack the d5 square early. Black still plays ...d5, and after the exchanges White chooses between d4 for an isolated pawn structure and cxd5 for the Modern Variation.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is d5, with e5 and e6 close behind. 2...d5 challenges the e4 and c4 pawns at once, and exchanges on d5 follow.
Related lines
- Caro-Kann Defense
- Advance Variation
- Exchange Variation
- Hillbilly Attack
- Two Knights Attack
- Classical Variation
- How to beat the Caro-Kann Defenseguide
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.