Chess lessons › Chess openings
The Panov Attack
White plays c4 against the Caro-Kann and gets an isolated d-pawn with active pieces.
The idea
White plays c4 and gets an isolated d-pawn with active pieces.
- White’s pawn on d4 is isolated: no c- or e-pawn can protect it.
- Black’s knight on d5 sits in front of it, safe from pawns.
- So White plays actively: the bishop goes to d3, aiming at h7.
In a game: With an isolated d-pawn, keep pieces on the board and play for an attack.
How the lesson begins
After 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5, White can play 4.c4, the Panov Attack. The pawn on c4 attacks d5 at once.
In several lines in this lesson White ends up with an isolated pawn on d4, with no white pawn left on the c- or e-file to protect it. In return White gets room and quick play for the pieces.
Find the move
Black to move. White attacks d5. Develop a piece that protects it.
A hint
A knight can reach a square that guards d5.
Show the answer
4... Nf6
4...Nf6 is the engine’s top choice. The knight protects d5 and develops at the same time.
In numbers
How often it is played
| Rating | Value |
|---|---|
| Under 800 | Too few games |
| 800 to 1199 | Too few games |
| 1200 to 1599 | 0.5 |
| 1600 to 1999 | 1.8 |
| 2000 and up | 4.1 |
How the games ended
White won 52%, 6% were drawn and Black won 42%, over 2,467 games that start this way, in a sample of rated Lichess games from 2026.