Caro-Kann, advance variation
For many years, the Advance Variation in chess was considered inferior due to a strategic defeat that
Aron Nimzowitsch suffered against
José Capablanca at the New York 1927 tournament. However, the variation has been revitalized by aggressive lines such as the Bayonet Attack used by Latvian Grandmaster
Alexei Shirov, as well as the less ambitious 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 c5 6.Be3 popularized by English Grandmaster
Nigel Short.
Black's primary move is 3...Bf5, which aims to develop their light-squared bishop outside of the pawn chain. Unlike in the
French Defense, this bishop does not need to remain behind the e6 pawn. However, the more popular and aggressive option nowadays is 3...c5, which leads to sharper positions for Black without compromising their development. Although it may appear to be a lost tempo, this is actually a benefit of not playing e6 on the second move, as it allows Black to develop their light-squared bishop a little later.
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