Chessy
Sicilian Defense: Myers Attack, with a4
The Myers Attack with 2.a4 is an offbeat way to meet the Sicilian and steer the game into a very early test. After 1.e4 c5 2.a4, Black is to move and the position is completely balanced. That makes it a useful drill for learning practical plans rather than memorising a big theory tree. In the exercises below, focus on how Black usually continues, which replies are most common, and where the one clear mistake appears.
Play the Sicilian Defense: Myers Attack, with a4 against the engine
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Play the drill and test your understanding of this quiet Sicilian position. Create a free account to track your progress and practise the best responses.
Create a free account →A level start, not an opening edge
Stockfish rates this +0.02, a tiny edge for White. That means the position is dead level, and you should not expect the opening itself to do the work for you. If you choose the Myers Attack, your goal is to stay flexible, avoid drifting into an inferior structure, and play the middlegame better than your opponent. This is a good opening to practise calm development and basic positional priorities rather than forcing tactics right away.
What Black usually does here
The engine's best move is e6, continuing e6 Nf3 Nc6 Bb5. That tells you Black can settle quickly and develop naturally, so you should be ready for straightforward piece play rather than a sharp trap. In the database, the most-played continuation is Nc6, followed by d6, e6, g6, a6, and e5. Since Black has several sensible ways to answer, your drill should focus on recognizing plans, not trying to guess one single forced line.
The main practical lesson
This opening is less about winning the opening and more about understanding the position you have created. Because the score is balanced, the side that handles development and coordination best will usually be the one that starts to look comfortable. As White, you should keep an eye on king safety, piece activity, and whether your early pawn move still makes sense in the structure that follows. The line works best when you treat it as a practical weapon, not as a shortcut to a big advantage.
One move to watch for
There is one known mistake in this exact position: e5 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns; Nc6 was better. That is a useful pattern for your drill, because it shows you one reply Black should avoid and one reply the engine prefers instead. Even in a quiet opening position, a single imprecise pawn push can give the other side an easy route to a better game.
Results across 113,352 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nc6 | 48,699 | 42.8% |
| d6 | 24,151 | 44.7% |
| e6 | 15,685 | 42.5% |
| g6 | 5,584 | 40.7% |
| a6 | 5,346 | 42.4% |
| e5 | 3,531 | 46.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sicilian Defense: Myers Attack, with a4 good for White?
It is playable, but the position after 1.e4 c5 2.a4 is not an opening win for White. Stockfish calls it dead level, so you should expect a balanced game and rely on your play rather than an early edge.
What is Black's best move after 1.e4 c5 2.a4?
The engine's best move is e6. The suggested continuation is e6 Nf3 Nc6 Bb5, which shows a natural developing setup rather than a forced tactical sequence.
What are Black's most common replies in this position?
The most-played continuation is Nc6, and other common replies are d6, e6, g6, a6, and e5. The database shows that Black has several reasonable ways to continue, so you need to be ready for a range of setups.
Is there a move Black should avoid here?
Yes. e5 is marked as an inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns, with Nc6 being better. That makes it an important idea to spot when you practise the position.
How many games feature the Sicilian Defense: Myers Attack, with a4?
Over 113K Lichess games have reached the Sicilian Defense: Myers Attack, with a4 position. White wins 43.6%, Black wins 52.7%, with 3.7% draws — based on real rated games.