The classical main line where Black active queen placement pins the knight on c3 and prepares solid Caro-Kann structures.

Black delays recapture, develops quickly, fianchettos, and stabilizes the d5 knight against White's space-gaining c-pawn.

A safe and solid retreat where the queen returns to its starting square to avoid being a target for White's development.

Black keeps the queen active on d6, controls b5, develops quickly, and prepares flexible queenside castling.