ECO B12 · Caro-Kann Defense

Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4… e6+0.24

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack (B12), reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… e6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.24).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.244… e6 5. h4 h5 6. Bd3 Bxd3 7. Qxd3 c5 8. Nf3 Qd7 9. Bg5
  2. +0.384… h5 5. Bd3 Bxd3 6. Qxd3 e6 7. Nf3 Nh6 8. O-O Nf5 9. Bg5
  3. +0.454… Nd7 5. h4 h5 6. Bd3 Bxd3 7. Qxd3 e6 8. Nf3 Ne7 9. Bg5

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3 e6 5. g4 Bg6 6. Nge2 c5 7. h4

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack?
After 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… e6 for Black, continuing 5. h4 h5 6. Bd3 Bxd3 7. Qxd3 c5 8. Nf3 Qd7 9. Bg5. The position is roughly equal (+0.24). The next best moves are 4… h5 (+0.38) and 4… Nd7 (+0.45).
Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.24: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack?
B12. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).