Chessy
Vienna Game: Mengarini Variation — White to move after 3.a3
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.a3, you have reached the Vienna Game: Mengarini Variation. This is a quiet-looking move that can still lead to an active fight, and the drill below lets you test how well you understand the position. The important thing is not to chase tactics blindly, but to know what Black usually does next and where the common inaccuracies appear. Here, the position is balanced, so good move order and sensible development matter more than memorised tricks.
Play the Vienna Game: Mengarini Variation against the engine
Free, no signup — you play white, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill below and see if you can handle the common replies cleanly. Create a free account to keep training this opening.
Create a free account →A balanced position, not a free attack
Stockfish rates this -0.06, a small edge for Black. That means you are slightly worse if you want a direct advantage, but only barely. In practical terms, this is a very playable opening: the position is close to equal and both sides still have normal chances. The drill is useful because the next few moves often decide whether White keeps a comfortable game or allows Black easy development.
What Black usually does here
The engine’s best move is Nc6, and the listed best continuation runs Nc6 Nf3 d5 Bb5. That is a clear reminder that Black often aims to develop naturally and challenge the centre quickly. The most played reply is Bc5, with Nc6 and d5 also appearing very often. You should be ready for simple, principled development rather than a forced tactical line.
The replies you should know
The database at this exact position is large: 532,571 games. White wins 49.1%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 46.9%, which fits the engine’s message that the opening is roughly level. Among the common continuations, Bc5 appears in 186,966 games, Nc6 in 148,786, d5 in 83,317, c6 in 29,512, d6 in 23,411, and Be7 in 17,254. That means you will face a very practical mix of developing moves, not one single forcing answer.
Watch for the inaccuracy marks
Two replies are flagged as inaccuracies in this position. c6 loses about 0.8 pawns, and the better move was Nc6. d6 loses about 0.6 pawns, and again Nc6 was better. That gives you a useful training point: when Black chooses a slightly slower setup, stay alert and keep developing sensibly so you do not let them recover easily.
Results across 532,571 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bc5 | 186,966 | 48.6% |
| Nc6 | 148,786 | 49.7% |
| d5 | 83,317 | 45.8% |
| c6 | 29,512 | 49.5% |
| d6 | 23,411 | 52.3% |
| Be7 | 17,254 | 49.0% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Vienna Game: Mengarini Variation sound for White?
Yes, it is playable and the current position is basically equal. Stockfish rates it -0.06, so Black has only a tiny edge. You are not refuted here; you just need to handle the next moves accurately.
What is Black’s best move after 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.a3?
The engine’s best move is Nc6. In the listed best continuation, Black keeps developing and challenges the centre in a straightforward way. That is the move to expect in training.
Which replies are most common in this position?
The most-played continuations are Bc5, Nc6, d5, c6, d6, and Be7. Bc5 is the most frequent one in the database, so it is worth being ready for. The position is practical and flexible rather than forced.
Are there any bad moves Black should avoid here?
Yes. c6 is marked as an inaccuracy, and d6 is also marked as an inaccuracy. In both cases, the better move was Nc6, so Black should usually prefer active development.
How many games feature the Vienna Game: Mengarini Variation?
Over 532K Lichess games have reached the Vienna Game: Mengarini Variation position. White wins 49.1%, Black wins 46.9%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.