ECO volume B
ECO B openings
Semi-open games (Sicilian, Caro-Kann, …). This volume contains 764 exact named move-order records in the reference catalogue. The 6 guides below concentrate on the major families: their characteristic structures, plans for both sides, pawn breaks, piece placement, tactical warnings, and the practical differences between branches.
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Alekhine Defense
Alekhine’s Defense through the invited e5 advance, Black’s attacks on d4 and e5, knight routes, and the structural choices in the Modern, Exchange, and pawn-advance systems.
ECO coverage in this volume: B02, B03, B04, B05 · 56 exact move-order records
Caro-Kann Defense
A guide to Caro–Kann structures: how ...c6 supports ...d5, where the light-squared bishop belongs, and how the Advance, Classical, Exchange, and Panov systems differ.
ECO coverage in this volume: B10, B11, B12, B13, B14, B15, B16, B17, B18, B19 · 107 exact move-order records
Modern Defense
The Modern Defense through its delayed knight development, the flexible ...c5, ...e5, and ...d5 breaks, and White’s choices between central space and rapid attack.
ECO coverage in this volume: B06, B07, B27 · 28 exact move-order records
Pirc Defense
The Pirc through White’s broad centre, Black’s g7-bishop, the ...e5 and ...c5 counterstrikes, and the distinct demands of the Austrian, Classical, and 150 Attack.
ECO coverage in this volume: B00, B07, B08, B09 · 28 exact move-order records
Scandinavian Defense
A guide to the Scandinavian’s immediate ...d5 challenge, queen- and knight-recapture systems, central breaks, and the cost of developing with attacks on the queen.
ECO coverage in this volume: B01 · 45 exact move-order records
Sicilian Defense
A practical guide to Sicilian structures: why 1...c5 creates an unbalanced game, the central breaks both sides need, and how the main systems differ.
ECO coverage in this volume: B20, B21, B22, B23, B24 … B96, B97, B98, B99 · 385 exact move-order records