Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4
What Is The Panov Attack?
The Panov Attack strips the Caro-Kann of the quiet game Black signed up for. With 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 White challenges d5 at once and accepts an isolated queen's pawn after a later dxc5 or ...dxc4 resolution. The whole variation is a bet that the isolated d4 pawn buys White enough open lines and piece activity to strike before an endgame arrives. Knights come to c3 and f3, the bishop eyes d3 or b5, and d5 becomes a springboard for a central break or a kingside attack.
Black's plan is the mirror image: blockade d5 with a knight, trade minor pieces, and drag the game toward an ending where the isolani is a target, not a weapon. That single tension decides Panov games. Count the pieces on the board: with queens and four minors on, White's initiative bites; after two or three trades, Black is playing for the win. Play it with energy or do not play it at all.
How Does Play Continue From Here?
| Move | Share | Games | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 49% | 627 | |
| Nc6 | 19% | 237 | |
| e6 | 12% | 154 | |
| dxc4 | 12% | 147 |
The Named Lines Of The Panov Attack
| Line | Moves |
|---|---|
| Gunderam Attack | 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.c5 |
| Fianchetto Defense | 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 |
| Modern Defense | 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 |
| Modern Defense, Carlsbad Line | 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 |
| Main Line | 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 |
| Modern Defense, Czerniak Line | 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 Qa5 |
| Modern Defense, Mieses Line | 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bg4 |
| Modern Defense, Reifir-Spielmann Line | 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 Qb6 |
| Fianchetto Defense, Fianchetto Gambit | 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.cxd5 Bg7 |