Chessy
Sicilian Defense: Mengarini Variation as White
The Sicilian Defense: Mengarini Variation starts with 1.e4 c5 2.a3, an unusual move order that asks Black a simple question: how will they meet your extra pawn move? The position is quiet, and that is exactly why it is useful to study it carefully. Stockfish rates this -0.15, a small plus for Black. That means you are roughly equal, but you still need a clear plan. Use the drill below to get used to the main replies and play the opening with confidence.
Play the Sicilian Defense: Mengarini Variation against the engine
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Play the drill below to practise this position against an adapting engine. Create a free account and start turning the opening into a habit.
Create a free account →What the opening is really about
After 1.e4 c5 2.a3, White is not trying to force a tactical battle on move two. The point is to keep the game flexible and see how Black chooses to respond. In positions like this, development and central control matter more than memorising long forcing lines. Because the position is close to equal, the practical goal is simple: make sensible developing moves, stay alert to Black’s reaction, and avoid drifting into an awkward setup.
What the numbers say
The database position has been reached in 1,311,808 games, so this is not a curiosity — it is a real practical battleground. White wins 47.6%, draws 3.5%, and Black wins 48.9%. Those figures match the engine’s view that neither side has a real opening advantage. If you are White, that is good news in one sense: you are not trying to survive a bad position. But you do need to play accurately, because Black’s most common replies are all fully playable.
The main replies you should expect
Black has several popular ways to answer this setup. The most-played continuation is Nc6, with 589,026 games and White scoring 48.8%. Other common replies are d6, with 298,769 games and White scoring 46.4%; e6, with 198,597 games and White scoring 46.5%; g6, with 72,854 games and White scoring 45.1%; a6, with 36,650 games and White scoring 48.0%; and d5, with 34,477 games and White scoring 47.2%. In other words, you should be ready for a variety of structures, not just one fixed answer.
The engine’s preferred answer
The engine’s best move here is g6, continuing g6 Nf3 Bg7 Nc3. That tells you something practical: Black is happy to develop calmly and keep the position under control. For White, the lesson is to respond in a healthy way — develop pieces, keep your king safe, and do not treat this as if you already have a concrete tactical edge. The drill is most valuable when you learn to meet that calm setup without losing time or direction.
Results across 1,311,808 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nc6 | 589,026 | 48.8% |
| d6 | 298,769 | 46.4% |
| e6 | 198,597 | 46.5% |
| g6 | 72,854 | 45.1% |
| a6 | 36,650 | 48.0% |
| d5 | 34,477 | 47.2% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sicilian Defense: Mengarini Variation good for White?
It is playable, but it is not an opening where White claims an early advantage. The engine calls the position dead level, and the database results are very close. If you like flexible positions and want to understand a quiet anti-Sicilian setup, it can be a useful choice.
What is the best move for Black here?
The engine’s best move is g6. In the continuation given, Black develops in a restrained way with g6 Nf3 Bg7 Nc3. That is a good reminder that Black does not need to panic against 2.a3.
What should White focus on in this opening?
Focus on sound development, central control, and king safety. The position is balanced, so small practical decisions matter. You are not trying to win the opening by force; you are trying to reach a comfortable middlegame.
Which Black reply appears most often?
Nc6 is the most-played continuation, with 589,026 games. The other common replies are d6, e6, g6, a6, and d5. The drill helps you get used to all of them so you are not surprised by Black’s first choice.
How many games feature the Sicilian Defense: Mengarini Variation?
Over 1 million Lichess games have reached the Sicilian Defense: Mengarini Variation position. White wins 47.6%, Black wins 48.9%, with 3.5% draws — based on real rated games.