Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack 6…c5 7. h4
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Statistics from Lichess
55,791 games: White 49.3% / Draw 4.5% / Black 46.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 30,62531K | ||
| 16,67517K | ||
| 7,3047,304 | ||
| 659659 | ||
| 401401 | ||
| 6464 | ||
| 1515 | ||
| 1313 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.01 The position is about equal
Best play: 7... h5 8. Nf4 Bh7 9. Nxh5 Nc6 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Bg5 Qb6 12. Qd2
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack (ECO B12, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack, reached after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3 e6 5. g4 Bg6 6. Nge2 c5 7. h4 (7 moves).
In 55,791 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.3%, Black 46.2% and 4.5% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…h5, in 55% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 7. h4
7…cxd4 scores best for Black: 49.2%, with Black winning 47.0% and White 48.6% of 7,304 games. The most played, 7…h5, scores 48.5% in 31K games, and 7…h6 scores lowest: 48.1%. Stockfish's first choice is 7…h5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Van der Wiel Attack (B12)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/caro-kann-defense-advance-variation-van-der-wiel-attack-2