Caro-Kann Defense:Maróczy Variation

Also called the Fantasy Variation: White supports e4 with 3. f3, inviting sharp play.

It is reached after 5 moves: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3. It is a line of the Caro-Kann Defense.

Black is to move and has 29 legal moves. Over the next four moves — two for each side — the game can branch into 959,853 different games. Those games reach 309,355 different positions: most positions can be reached in more than one way, 3.1 on average.

The Lichess opening list names 1 further line after this position, such as Maróczy Gambit (3... dxe4 4. fxe4 e5 5. Nf3 exd4 6. Bc4).

The same moves can be played in 12 different legal orders that all reach this position. For example 1. d4 c6 2. e4 d5 3. f3, which starts as the Queen's Pawn Game.