Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense, Mieses Line
The Mieses Line is 6.Nf3 Bg4, pinning the knight that defends d4. White's main answer is 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qb3, attacking b7 and the d5 knight at once, and Black usually gives up the b7 pawn to win the d4 pawn and keep White's king in the center.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bg4
- ECO
- B13
- Engine
- +0.22 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 749 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 56.7%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qb3, forking b7 and d5, the top engine line.
- After ...Bxf3 gxf3, accept the broken kingside pawns for the bishop pair and the open g-file.
- Take on b7 only if you can follow up quickly with Bb5 or a safe king, because Black's knights become active.
- The calmer 7.Be3 and c5 keeps the center closed and avoids the tactical trades.
Black
- After 8.Qb3, take on f3 at once and guard the d5 knight with ...e6.
- If White grabs Qxb7, answer ...Nxd4. The knight eyes c2 and f3, and ...Bb4 can pin the c3 knight.
- Use the open b-file with ...Rb8 to chase White's queen and gain time.
- Against 7.Bg5, the ...Ne4 jump hits c3 and the bishop, as the second engine line shows.
Plans and pawn structure
After 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qb3 Bxf3 9.gxf3 e6 10.Qxb7 Nxd4, material is level again but the position is wild. White has the bishop pair and a queen deep on b7, while the f3 and f2 pawns are weak and the king is still on e1. Black wants quick development: ...Bb4, ...Rb8 and short castling, with the knights hunting around c2 and f3. White wants to finish development with Bb5+, Be3 and safe castling, then use the bishops on the open board.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.22: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.22 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qb3 Bxf3 9.gxf3 e6
- −0.01 7.Bg5 Ne4 8.Be3 e6 9.Qb3 Bb4
- −0.02 7.Be3 e6 8.c5 Be7 9.Bb5 Qc7
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
749 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 56.7%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As White, learn the Qb3 line by heart, because it is the only real test. Do not play Qxb7 without checking ...Nxd4 and the follow-up checks. As Black, keep calm after Qb3: trade on f3, play ...e6 and let White spend time on the b-pawn while you develop.
Questions
What are the moves of the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense, Mieses Line?
The Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense, Mieses Line starts 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bg4. Its ECO code is B13.
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense, Mieses Line good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.22 at depth 20, which is level. In 749 lichess games from our sample, White scored 56.7%. A sharp, calculation-heavy line where precise move order matters more than general plans; it suits players who enjoy concrete tactics.
What is the main idea of the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense, Mieses Line?
Black pins the f3 knight to increase pressure on d4. White answers 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qb3, and the main line trades b7 for d4, giving a tactical position with both kings still in the center.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is cxd5, with Bg5 and Be3 close behind. 7.cxd5 clears the way for Qb3, hitting b7 and d5 together.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.