Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Modern Variation
The Accelerated Panov Modern Variation is 2...d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6, where Black leaves the d5 pawn for a moment and develops first. White will play Nc3, Nf3 and d4, and Black recovers the pawn with ...Nxd5, reaching an open position with an isolated d4 pawn.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6
- ECO
- B10
- Engine
- +0.07 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,047 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.6%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 5.Nc3 is the top choice, and after ...Nxd5 White plays Nf3 and d4, then Bb5 to pin the c6 knight.
- Bb5 in the main line puts pressure on c6 and stops ...Nc6 from hitting d4 freely.
- Trying to keep d5 with Qa4+ or Bb5+ costs time; the engine returns the pawn and develops.
- Castle short and use the isolated d4 pawn to support Ne5 and a kingside attack.
Black
- Take back on d5 with the knight and play ...Nc6 at once to attack d4 before White castles.
- ...Bf5 and ...e6 finish development smoothly, as all three engine lines show.
- Blockade the d4 pawn with a piece on d5 and trade minor pieces to weaken it in the endgame.
Plans and pawn structure
Once White plays d4, the structure is an isolated queen pawn. White wants active pieces: Bb5 or Bd3, short castling, and a rook on e1, using e5 and c5 as outposts for knights. Black wants to blockade on d5, trade pieces with ...Nxc3 at the right time and press d4 with ...Nc6 and ...Bf5. The more pieces come off, the weaker the isolated pawn becomes.
Where the engine's main line heads: White has an isolated queen pawn. White has an isolated d-pawn: no white pawns on the c- or e-file to support it.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.07: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.07 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.d4 Bf5
- +0.06 5.d4 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Nc3 Bf5
- +0.05 5.Nf3 Nxd5 6.Nc3 Nc6 7.d4 Bf5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,047 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.6%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
Play 5.Nc3, let Black recapture on d5, and build with Nf3, d4 and Bb5. Do not chase the extra pawn with queen checks; they cost time and Black regains d5 anyway. Keep the d4 pawn backed by pieces and aim for active play before trades weaken it.
Questions
What are the moves of the Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Modern Variation?
The Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Modern Variation starts 1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6. Its ECO code is B10.
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Modern Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.07 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,047 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.6%. A sound, balanced line for both sides that rewards players who understand isolated pawn positions.
What is the main idea of the Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Modern Variation?
Black develops with ...Nf6 before recapturing on d5, and White cannot hold the extra pawn without losing time. After ...Nxd5 and d4, the game is an isolated queen pawn middlegame with chances for both sides.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Nc3, with d4 and Nf3 close behind. 5.Nc3 develops and lets Black recapture on d5, after which Nf3, d4 and Bb5 bring all pieces into play.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.