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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. a3/2...Nc6/3. b4

Mengarini Variation
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b
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. a3 Nc6 3. b4
Parent: Sicilian Defense
Synonym(s): Van Duijn’s Variation

Mengarini Variation

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Black can accept the gambit with 3...cxb4 but the best move is the drawish 3...Nf6, to which the best response is 4. b5.

3...cxb4 used to be the main line and is still often seen at amateur levels. The most common continuation is

4. axb4 Nxb4
5. d4 d5
6. c3 Nc6
7. exd5 Qxd5
8. Na3!

Now, Black needs to be precise: The natural moves 8...Nf6, 8...e5, and 8...e6 blunder 9. Nb5.

Theory table

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.

1. e4 c5 2. a3 Nc6 3. b4

3 4 5 6 7 8
Declined ...
Nf6
b5
Nd4
c3
Ne6
e5
Nd5
=
Accepted ...
cxb4
axb4
Nxb4
d4
d5
c3
Nc6
exd5
Qxd5
Na3 =/∞


v · t · e
Chess Opening Theory
1. e4 e5
Open games
3. Bb5
Spanish
3. Bc4
Italian
3. Nc3
Three knights
Other
2...Nf6
Russian
2...d6
Philidor
Other
2. f4
King's gambit
2. Nc3
Vienna
Other
1. e4 c5
Sicilian
1. e4 e6
French
1. e4 c6
Caro-Kann
1. e4 other
1. d4 d5
Closed games
1. d4 Nf6
Indian
1. d4 f5
Dutch
1. d4 ...other:
Flank
Unorthodox