Advance Variation, Bayonet Attack

Unlike the Van der Wiel Attack, which first develops with 4. Nc3 and plays ...e6 into account, the Bayonet Attack pushes the g-pawn immediately, so the f5-bishop has to choose a square before White has developed a single piece. White gains a tempo and kingside space, but the advanced g-pawn creates holes around the king that Black can later exploit, and White's own development falls behind. It is mostly used for its surprise value, and it is among the aggressive ideas that helped bring the Advance Variation back into fashion. The engine regards the position as level.

4...Bg6 is the most common retreat, and White scores somewhat better against it than against the alternatives. 4...Be4 is considered the most precise answer: the bishop stays active and provokes 5. f3 before dropping back, so White's kingside is loosened further. A typical continuation is 5. f3 Bg6 6. e6 Qd6 7. exf7 Bxf7 8. Nc3 Nd7 9. f4, with approximate equality. 4...Bd7 is a quieter option that has produced the best results for Black in the database.