Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c6/2. d4/2...d5/3. e5/3...c5

=Caro-Kann Defence - Botvinnik-Carls Defense=

Black's second most popular move after 3...Bf5, named after World champion Mikhail Botvinnik. It is an attack on the stability of White's pawn formation. White is free to capture the pawn and break open the center, expecting plans of 4...e6 and 5...Bxc5 to recapture. 4...Nc6 is also a popular follow up, and Black is not in any rush to win back the pawn.