Caro-Kann Defense

1.e4 c6

A defense for Black

Solid like the French, but the bishop gets out first.

The idea

Black prepares ...d5 (like the French) but plays ...c6 instead of ...e6, so the light-squared bishop can develop freely to f5 before locking the pawns. Famously reliable and hard to beat.

The plan

Develop the light bishop to f5 or g4, complete development, castle, and aim for a solid, low-risk middlegame with a healthy structure.

One tip for beginners

Get the bishop out to f5 before playing ...e6. That one move order is the whole point of the Caro-Kann.

What to watch out for

Don't let White's knight jump to e5 and trade off your good bishop for free - be ready to challenge it.