The Caro-Kann Defence is a common chess opening characterized by the moves: 1.e4 c6 The usual continuation (position shown) is 2.d4 d5 followed by 3.Nc3, 3.Nd2, 3.exd5, or 3.e5 (the Advance Variation, in which Black often plays Bf5 to stifle White's Bishop activity). The Caro-Kann, like the Sicilian Defence and French Defence, is classified as a "semi-open game", but it is thought to be more solid and less dynamic than either of those openings. It often leads to good endgames for black, who has the better pawn-structure.