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

The Van der Wiel Attack is 3...Bf5 4.Nc3, preparing a fast kingside pawn storm. White aims g4, Nge2 and h4 to chase the bishop, while Black hits d4 with ...e6 and ...c5 and hopes to use the d4 square.

Moves
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3
ECO
B12
Engine
+0.08 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,859 games in our lichess sample
White scores
48.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 4...e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nge2 is the main engine line, followed by h4 to threaten h5.
  • After ...c5 and the trade on d4, recapture with the knight from e2 to centralize.
  • Bd3 against 4...h5 offers to trade the light-squared bishops on White's terms.

Black

  • 4...e6 and ...c5 strike d4 at once, since the c3 knight blocks White's c-pawn from supporting it.
  • After the trade on d4, use the open c-file and ...Nc6 to hit the centralized knight.
  • ...Qb6 is another try, hitting d4 and b2 straight away before White's storm starts.

Plans and pawn structure

The c3 knight blocks White's c-pawn, so d4 rests on pieces after Black's ...c5. White plays for space with g4, Nge2 and h4, often with Be3 and Qd2. Black wants to open the center before the kingside storm lands, using ...cxd4 and ...Nc6 to hit the d4 knight. If White's pawns reach h5 with tempo on the bishop, Black can be squeezed.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.08: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.08 4...e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nge2 c5 7.h4
  2. +0.47 4...h5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 e6 7.Nf3
  3. +0.48 4...Qc7 5.g4 Bd7 6.Be3 e6 7.Qd2

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,859 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 48.8%.

under 120055.5%
1200–159944.8%
1600–199948.3%
2000 and up55.7%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack, Dreyev Defense4...Qb6 · rare

How to play against it

Play 4...e6 and meet g4 with ...Bg6, then hit d4 with ...c5. Open the center quickly, because White's kingside pawns need time to do damage. Avoid passive retreats that let h4 and h5 come with tempo on your bishop. White scored 48.8% overall here.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nge2 c5 7.h4.

Questions

What are the moves of the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack?

The Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack starts 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3. Its ECO code is B12.

Is the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.08 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,859 lichess games from our sample, White scored 48.8%. For aggressive White players who know the storm patterns; Black needs quick central counterplay.

What is the main idea of the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack?

White develops the knight to c3 and prepares a kingside pawn storm with g4, Nge2 and h4. Black answers with ...e6 and ...c5, opening the center and using the fact that the c3 knight blocks White's c-pawn.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is e6, with h5 and Qc7 close behind. 4...e6 frees the f8 bishop and prepares ...Bg6 against g4 and ...c5 against d4.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.