411 REFERENCE · Wikibooks
Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c6/2. d4/2...d5/3. e5/3...Bf5/4. Nc3
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Caro-Kann Defence - Advance Variation, Van Der Wiel Attack
5. Nc3 · Caro-Kann Defence - Advance Variation, Van Der Wiel Attack
A sounder response than 4. Bd3, and more ambitious than 4. Nf3, 4. Nc3 has helped revitalize the Advance Variation of the Caro-Kann.
White usually plans to harass Black's bishop with g4 and h4-h5, and Nc3 takes away the e4 square from the bishop.
It is almost always met with 4...e6, with black aiming ultimately to play c5.
Theory table
4... e6 4... Qb6 4... a6 4... h5 4... Qd7
References
Caro-Kann
Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. 1-8574-4221-0.
Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. 1999. Nick de Firmian, Walter Korn. 0-8129-3084-3.