Advance, Short Variation

In this form of the Advance Caro-Kann, White postpones Nf3. The move 4. c3 first reinforces d4, and 5. Be2 develops the kingside bishop before the knight is committed. The name recalls Nigel Short, who popularized the related scheme 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 c5 6. Be3 in the 1990s. Black most often strikes at the chain at once with 5...c5, while 5...Nd7 and 5...Ne7 are the main alternatives. The line is seldom played, engines rate it as roughly balanced, and Black scores well in practice.