Chess Openings Lab
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Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack

The Panov Attack is 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4, hitting the d5 pawn at once instead of building slowly. White usually ends up with an isolated pawn on d4 and active pieces, while Black aims to blockade d5 and pressure that lone pawn.

Moves
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4
ECO
B13, B14
Engine
+0.13 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
6,288 games in our lichess sample
White scores
53.3%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Develop with Nc3 and Nf3 to pile on d5, then cxd5 to create open lines for the pieces.
  • Use Bb5+ or Bd3 and Qb3 to hit the light squares, as the engine lines show.
  • In isolated-pawn positions, plant a knight on e5 and aim for a kingside attack before Black can blockade.

Black

  • Play ...Nf6 and ...e6, then ...Be7 or ...Bb4, a solid setup that keeps d5 covered.
  • The ...Nc6 and ...Bg4 plan pins the f3 knight and makes d4 harder to hold.
  • After White's cxd5, recapture with the knight to blockade d5 and target d4.
  • Trade pieces: the fewer pieces on the board, the weaker the isolated d4 pawn becomes.

Plans and pawn structure

The Panov turns the Caro-Kann into an open game. After cxd5 and Nxd5, White often has an isolated pawn on d4. White's plan is active pieces: Nc3, Nf3, Bd3, short castling, a rook to e1 and a knight on e5, with attacking chances on the kingside and the d4-d5 break. Black's plan is to blockade on d5 with a knight, develop with ...e6, ...Be7 and ...O-O, then trade pieces and target d4 with ...Nc6, a rook on the d-file and the dark bishop aimed at it from f6.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.13: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.13 4...e6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5
  2. +0.17 4...Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.cxd5
  3. +0.20 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Be7 7.cxd5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

6,288 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.3%.

under 120050.7%
1200–159952.9%
1600–199953.6%
2000 and up53.2%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As Black, keep d5 under control and develop quickly with ...Nf6, ...e6 and ...Nc6. Do not grab pawns while behind in development. As White, keep pieces on and look for attacking chances: the isolated pawn is a strength while the pieces are active.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3; 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6; 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Nf3 e6 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Bb5 Bg4.

Questions

What are the moves of the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack?

The Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack starts 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4. Its ECO code is B13, B14.

Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.13 at depth 20, which is level. In 6,288 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.3%. A sharp, active choice for White players who like isolated-pawn positions; Black needs to know the blockade and trading ideas.

What is the main idea of the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack?

White hits d5 with c4 to create an open game with an isolated pawn on d4. Black blockades d5 and pressures d4, while White uses active pieces to attack.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is e6, with Nc6 and Nf6 close behind. 4...e6 supports d5 and prepares ...Bb4 or ...Be7, a calm way to meet White's active pieces.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.