Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack: what should Black play?

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack (ECO B13), Black faces central tension against White's pawn on c4 and must choose a development plan. The engine's primary recommendation is Nc6, which is also the most popular choice, occurring in 44.4% of recorded games (1.39M recorded) with an evaluation of +0.10. This move immediately contests the d4 pawn while naturally developing a minor piece.

Main lines with Nc6 and e6

The top choice Nc6 leads to active piece play; an illustrative continuation runs Nc6 Nf3 Bg4 cxd5 Nxd5 Qb3, where White scores 51.8% from the initial choice. The major alternative is e6, played in 38.4% of games (1.20M recorded) with an engine evaluation of +0.18. This solid setup reinforces d5 directly, seen in the sample continuation e6 Nf3 Bb4 cxd5 exd5 Bd3, where White achieves a 52.2% score.

Fianchetto and peripheral alternatives

Black also frequently employs the modern fianchetto treatment g6, appearing in 14.1% of games (440K recorded) with an engine evaluation of +0.13. White scores 48.2% against this choice, with the engine highlighting the sequence g6 Qb3 Bg7 cxd5 O-O Be2. Less frequent options include a6, chosen in 2.1% of games (66K recorded, +0.17 eval), and Be6, seen in 1.0% of encounters (30K recorded, +0.32 eval), which encounters Be6 Nge2 dxc4 Nf4 Qc8 Be2.