Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...Nc6

Mikenas Defense
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1.d4 Nc6
ECO code: A40
Parent: Queens Pawn Opening
Synonym(s): Lundin (Kevitz-Mikenas) Defence

Queen's Knight Defense

A40 Mikenas Defense edit

1...Nc6 edit

The Queen's Knight defense (Lundin (Kevitz-Mikenas) Defence) is characterized by 1. d4 Nc6. This move is rarely played, it prepares a possible e5 for Black, however the Black Knight is often exposed to a being moved by White playing d5 at some stage or loses a tempo to pawns moving to occupy the center. On the plus side Black's pawn structure remain flexible.

White has a number of choices.

  • 2. e4 A common reply and transposes into a Nimzowitsch Defence.
  • 2. Nf3 this prevents Black's immediate e5.
  • 2. c4 exerting extra pressure on the d5 square.
  • 2. d5 Moving the pawn again and directly challenging the Knight.

Theory table edit

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

1.d4 Nc6

2 3 4
Nimzowitsch Defence
by transposition
e4 See 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4
Chigorin Defence
by transposition
Nf3
d5
c4
Bg4
cxd5
Bxf3
+=
Montevideo Defensed5Nb8!?
Mikenas Defense: Full Metal Jacket Variation d5
Ne5
e4
e6
f4
exd5!?
=
Mikenas Defense: Lithuanian Variation c4
e5
d5
Nce7
=

When contributing to this Wikibook, please follow the Conventions for organization.

References edit

  • Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.