Need to verify if I have this right. Regards advance and retard of cam gears.

Please refer to the picture below:



Now if you look at the intake cam gear you can see that the outside of the gear is moved to the right. Is this advance or retard? And more importantly, does this mean the valve stays closer to the piston for longer (or just gets closer in general) or does this mean the valve is actually moving away from the piston sooner?