Black develops the bishop before playing ...e6, keeping it active.
1.e4 - Controls the center.
1...c6 - Caro-Kann. Black prepares ...d5.
2.d4 - White establishes a strong center.
2...d5 - Black challenges e4.
3.Nc3 - White defends e4.
3...dxe4 - Black exchanges, simplifying the center.
4.Nxe4 - White recaptures with the knight.
4...Bf5 - Classical! Black develops the bishop outside the pawn chain.
White's plans: Play Ng3 or Nf3, develop and castle. Look for kingside attacks.
Black's plans: Complete development with ...e6, ...Nd7, ...Ngf6. Castle and play positionally.
Watch the moves to understand the opening sequence. Use the controls to replay or auto-play the variation.