Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation

1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.

1... c6
Preparing d5

2. d4
Achieving a powerful center, and controlling many central squares.

2... d5
Challenging the center immediately, aiming to undermine White's control of the e4 square.

3. e5
Advancing the pawn to e5 is aiming to control the center and limit the mobility of Black's knight on g8. However, it can potentially overextend White's position and create weaknesses.

3... Bf5 (played in 63% of games)
Developing the light-squared bishop outside of the pawn chain before playing e6.

• 3... c5 (25%): Immediately pressuring the white center. Black will likely follow up with Nc6 to increase the pressure on the center.

4. Nf3 (played in 34% of games)
Developing the knight while supporting the central pawns.

• 4. Bd3 (21%): Developing the bishop and trying to trade off Black's active bishop.

4... e6 (played in 85% of games)
Supporting the center while opening up the dark squared bishop.

5. Bd3 (played in 35% of games)
Developing the bishop and offering a trade of bishops to Black. White is also aiming to activate the queen and castle quickly.

5... Bxd3 (played in 62% of games)
Trading bishops and preparing to continue by developing and breaking with c5.

• 5... Ne7 (11%): Developing the knight and protecting the bishop on f5. If White captured then Black will recapture with the knight.

6. Qxd3 (played in 96% of games)
Recapturing the bishop and activating the queen.

6... c5 (played in 40% of games)
Breaking in the center and pressuring White's d4 pawn.

• 6... Nd7 (22%): Developing the knight and preparing to break in the center with c5.

7. c3 (played in 46% of games)

7... Nc6 (played in 59% of games)

8. O-O (played in 48% of games)

8... Nge7 (played in 28% of games)

9. Bg5 (played in 42% of games)