After 1.e4 e5 2.a3, you've played Mengarini's Opening — a modest but tricky waiting move. When Black answers 2...Nc6 and you follow with 3.Nc3, you reach a position that's dead level. Over nearly 387,000 games in the Lichess database, White wins 49.0%, draws 4.1%, and Black wins 46.9%. That's as balanced as an opening gets. The engine rates this -0.09, a tiny sliver in Black's direction, so you are essentially equal. There's no grand plan to force — just good, sensible chess ahead. Let's see what the statistics and engine recommend.
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Play the King's Pawn Game: Mengarini's Opening: Nc6 against the engine
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Find your own #1 mistake — free →What Mengarini's Opening Is Really About
Don't let the quiet move 2.a3 fool you — this is a perfectly playable opening. The idea is to avoid heavy opening theory while keeping the centre flexible. With 3.Nc3 you attack the e5 pawn and prepare to develop naturally. There's no hidden trap or sharp gambit; you're simply asking Black to show their hand first. The position is so balanced (Stockfish gives -0.09, barely favouring Black) that the game will be decided by who plays better in the middlegame, not by opening prep. For club players, that's a perfectly fair fight.
Black's Most Popular Reply: 3...Nf6
Black's most common move is 3...Nf6, appearing in over 206,000 games. It's also the engine's top choice. After Nf6, the best continuation is 4.Nf3 d5 5.Bb5 — you develop a knight, strike at the centre, and pin the c6-knight. White scores 49.0% from this position, perfectly respectable for a balanced line. The key is simply to play natural developing moves and keep an eye on the centre. If Black doesn't know the position well, they'll often drift into a slightly worse setup without realising it.
The Surprising Statistics on Black's Alternatives
Black has several other options, and the statistics reveal which ones you should welcome. The second most popular reply is 3...Bc5 (89,439 games), where White scores a slightly lower 47.5% — Black's bishop on c5 is actively placed. But when Black plays 3...d6 (36,833 games), your score jumps to 50.1%, and the engine calls d6 an inaccuracy that loses about 0.6 pawns. Even better for you: 3...a6 (16,417 games), also an inaccuracy (losing ~0.7 pawns), where you score 50.1%. And 3...f5 (6,237 games) is actually a mistake, losing roughly 1.0 pawns — your stats dip to 46.1% because it's a sharp line, but objectively you are better. If Black plays f5, they are the one taking the risk.
Three Mistakes to Punish as White
The engine identifies three subpar moves for Black at this position — and knowing them helps you spot when your opponent goes wrong. If Black plays d6, they've inaccurately weakened their pawn structure; respond with natural development (like Nf3) and you'll enjoy a small edge. If Black plays a6, they've wasted a tempo; again, keep developing and you'll stand slightly better. The worst offender is f5 — a real mistake. Black tries to break the centre early, but after you capture correctly (exf5), they'll have a compromised kingside and a lag in development. These aren't crushing refutations, but they give you a comfortable plus.
Results across 386,786 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nf6Main line | 206,430 | 49.0% |
| 2 | Bc5 | 89,439 | 47.5% |
| 3 | d6 | 36,833 | 50.1% |
| 4 | a6 | 16,417 | 50.1% |
| 5 | f5 | 6,237 | 46.1% |
| 6 | h6 | 4,679 | 49.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is Mengarini's Opening a good opening for beginners?
Yes. After 1.e4 e5 2.a3 Nc6 3.Nc3, the position is dead level — White wins 49.0% of games. You avoid sharp theory without giving Black any advantage. It's a great way to practise natural development and middlegame play.
What is the best move for Black against Mengarini's Opening?
The engine recommends 3...Nf6, which is also the most common reply (over 206,000 games). After Nf6, the best continuation is 4.Nf3 d5 5.Bb5, keeping the game balanced.
Is 3...f5 a good reply for Black?
No. 3...f5 is classified as a mistake that loses roughly 1.0 pawns. It's a sharp attempt to break the centre, but objectively it leaves Black worse off. You should welcome this move as White.
What should I do if Black plays 3...d6?
3...d6 is an inaccuracy that loses about 0.6 pawns. Develop naturally (Nf3 is a good start) and you'll have a small edge. Black's move is too passive and gives you time to build a strong centre.
How many games feature the King's Pawn Game: Mengarini's Opening: Nc6?
Over 386K Lichess games have reached the King's Pawn Game: Mengarini's Opening: Nc6 position. White wins 49.0%, Black wins 46.9%, with 4.1% draws — based on real rated games.