Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack: what should Black play?

In the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack, Black faces an immediate choice regarding how to develop the minor pieces and challenge White's central wedge. Although the engine prefers Bg4 with an evaluation of +0.00, practical play heavily favors c5, which appears in 54.4% of recorded games (903K recorded). Both continuations leave Black well-placed, giving the second player reliable routes to contest White's space advantage.

The positional concept of Bg4

While played in only 2.1% of games (34K recorded), Bg4 offers full equality according to engine analysis. By immediately pinning White's knight on f3, Black pressures the defender of d4 and prepares to accelerate queenside counterplay. In the illustrative engine sequence Bg4 Be3 Qb6 a3 Nd7 Na4, White attempts to secure the center and drive the black queen away, yet Black achieves dynamic piece activity with White scoring 46.3% from the tabiya.

Practical alternatives: c5 and Nd7

The primary practical continuation is c5, which directly strikes at White's pawn chain and yields an engine evaluation of +0.17. Following the sample line c5 Be3 c4 Ne2 Nc6 c3, the position transitions toward a closed center where Black gains queenside territory. Another frequent approach is Nd7, chosen in 26.6% of games (441K recorded, evaluated at +0.24), where the sequence Nd7 Bd3 Bxd3 cxd3 Ne7 h4 demonstrates a trade of light-squared bishops that alters White's pawn structure.

Flexible setups with Ne7 and a6

Black can also opt for Ne7 (11.4% of games, evaluated at +0.15) or a6 (5.6% of games, evaluated at +0.13). The knight development via Ne7 Be2 c5 dxc5 Nec6 Be3 targets the d4 pawn while retaining kingside flexibility. Meanwhile, a6 Bd3 Bg4 Ne2 c5 c3 combines prophylaxis on the queenside with an eventual Bg4 pin, holding White to a 43.3% scoring rate.