...c6 is the Caro-Kann. Black prepares to play 2...d5, with the c pawn ready to take back should White take it.
In the traditional Open Game (1. e4 e5), many of the big threats that Black faces target their weak f7-square with White's bishop positioned on c4. Black often can consider this threat resolved if they succeed in pushing their queen's pawn to d5, controlling c4. So, by achieving d5, Black makes their kingside safer.
Compared to the French defence, which prepares 2...d5 with 1...e6 instead, this avoids blocking in Black's own bishop, but at the cost of preventing Black from playing Nc6. Additionally, if Black later wishes to assault White's centre with c5, they will have lost a tempo on this move.
2. d4 is the mainline. By not making a threat or controlling d4, Black allowed White to put two pawns in the centre. Black responds with 2...d5 and then the game can go in several directions depending on how White proceeds. Options include trading pawns, advancing the e-pawn to e5, or defending the
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