Caro-Kann Defense · B12

Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack, Dreyev Defense

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3 Qb6

Black plays around White's e5 wedge with ...c5 and ...e6, aiming to chip at the chain.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... c6 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Caro-Kann Defense.
• 2. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.

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