Chess Openings Lab
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Caro-Kann Defense: Ulysses Gambit

The Ulysses Gambit is 4.Ng5 after 3.Nf3 dxe4 in the Caro-Kann, leaving the e4 pawn hanging and sending the knight toward e4 and f7. White hopes to regain the pawn with tempo, while Black should simply guard e4 or develop and keep the extra pawn.

Moves
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nf3 dxe4 4.Ng5
ECO
B12
Engine
−0.79 · a clear edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
523 games in our lichess sample
White scores
47.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • The knight on g5 attacks e4 at once. If Black ignores it, Nxe4 wins the pawn back with a centralized knight.
  • After ...Bf5, the engine line 5.g4 Bg6 kicks the bishop and gains kingside space, but it also loosens White's own king.
  • Against ...Nf6, develop with Bc4 and Nc3, aiming at f7 and hoping to win e4 later with pressure.
  • Do not chase the pawn with moves like Qe2 too early. Getting pieces out is the only real compensation.

Black

  • Play 4...Bf5. The bishop guards e4 with a developing move, and Black stays a clean pawn up.
  • 4...Nf6 also holds the pawn, since a knight capture on e4 would just drop the knight to Black's f6 knight.
  • If White lunges with g4, answer with ...h5 as in the engine line, attacking the overextended pawns.
  • Avoid 4...h6 if you want an edge. After 5.Nxe4 White has the pawn back and a level game.

Plans and pawn structure

With the pawn on e4 guarded, Black has an extra pawn and a sound Caro-Kann structure. The usual plan is ...e6, ...Nf6, ...Be7 and short castling, then ...Nbd7 and ...c5 to hit d4. White's only active plan is kingside space: g4, Bg2 and Nc3 to win e4 back. That costs pawn cover in front of the white king, so ...h5 is a useful lever. If White never regains e4, Black's position is simply better.

Where the engine's main line heads: White pawn d4, no e-pawns for White, no d-pawn for Black. White has a pawn on d4 and no e-pawn; Black has no d-pawn. White has more central space; Black's pieces are free and the d4 pawn is a target.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.79: a clear edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.79 4...Bf5 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nc3 Nf6 7.Bg2
  2. −0.77 4...Nf6 5.Bc4 e6 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.O-O
  3. +0.02 4...h6 5.Nxe4 Bf5 6.Qf3 e6 7.c3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

523 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 47.1%.

under 120051.8%
1200–159945.9%
1600–199949.4%
2000 and up35.9%

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

How to play against it

As Black, keep it calm. Play 4...Bf5 or 4...Nf6, keep the e4 pawn, and develop with ...e6 and ...Be7. Do not grab more or launch early queen moves. When White pushes g4, hit back with ...h5 rather than retreating passively.

Questions

What are the moves of the Caro-Kann Defense: Ulysses Gambit?

The Caro-Kann Defense: Ulysses Gambit starts 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nf3 dxe4 4.Ng5. Its ECO code is B12.

Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Ulysses Gambit good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.79 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for Black. In 523 lichess games from our sample, White scored 47.1%. A dubious surprise weapon: it works against players who drift, but a Black player who guards e4 and develops normally gets the better game.

What is the main idea of the Caro-Kann Defense: Ulysses Gambit?

White offers the e4 pawn and then attacks it with Ng5 instead of Nc3. The idea is to win it back with a centralized knight or to get quick play against f7, but correct defense with ...Bf5 or ...Nf6 keeps Black a pawn up.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Bf5, with Nf6 and h6 close behind. 4...Bf5 develops and protects e4 in one move, so Black keeps the extra pawn without any weakness.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.