Short Variation

The idea

This is the Advance Variation reached by another order. 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.d4 e6 is the same position as 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6, which Lichess calls the Short Variation, after Nigel Short, whose quiet 4.Nf3 and 5.Be2 made the Advance popular in the 1990s.

Plans for White

The usual plan is Be2, castling, and c3 or Be3, keeping a solid space advantage in the center. With the knight on f3, the quiet, positional approach is the natural one, rather than throwing the kingside pawns forward at Black's bishop.

Plans for Black

Play ...c5 to attack d4, and develop with ...Nc6, ...Nd7 or ...Ne7. The queen often comes to b6, hitting d4 and b2. The bishop on f5 is outside the pawn chain, so Black has none of the French Defense's bad-bishop problems.

Watch out for

For Black, the bishop can still be chased. A knight jump to h4 or a pawn push to g4 hits it, so keep its retreat squares in mind and don't let it be trapped on the kingside.

For White, ...c5 opens the center. If d4 falls, the pawn on e5 loses its support, and White's space advantage turns into a target.