Mikenas Defense

Why the Mikenas Defense is worth training

The Mikenas Defense starts with 1.d4 Nc6. Black develops the queen's knight before committing a central pawn and keeps the choice between ...e5, ...d6, and ...e6. White's most direct answer is 2.d5, which gains space and chases the knight. After 2.c4 e5 3.d5 Nce7, Black reaches the Lithuanian setup and reroutes the knight toward g6.

Chessmate has a Mikenas Defense course for White and a Mikenas Defense course for Black. The White course has five lines built around 2.d5, and the Black course has six lines that start from the Lithuanian setup.

The advance sample line for White

In the White sample line, Black answers 2.d5 with 2...Ne5, and White builds a two-pawn center with 3.e4. After 3...e6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.f4, the knight on e5 is driven toward g6. White removes Black's e-pawn with 6.dxe6 fxe6 and then gains space with 7.e5, which sends the other knight back with 7...Ng8.

White develops with 8.Nf3 Bc5 9.Ne4, hitting the bishop, and after 9...Bb6 10.c4 the advanced center is well supported. Following 10...N8e7 11.Bd2, Black finally breaks with 11...d5, and White captures en passant with 12.exd6. The pawn on d6 attacks c7 and the knight on e7, and Black's king is still in the center.

The Lithuanian setup for Black

The Black course starts from 1.d4 Nc6 2.c4 e5 3.d5 Nce7. The knight leaves c6 and heads for g6 with 4.e4 Ng6, where it eyes f4, e5, and h4. After 5.Be3, Black develops with check by 5...Bb4+, and 6.Nd2 Nf6 7.f3 Qe7 supports e5 from behind.

Black then retreats the bishop with 8.a3 Bc5 and trades it for White's dark-squared bishop with 9.Qe2 Bxe3 10.Qxe3. After 10...d6 11.g3 O-O 12.Bd3 a5, the center is closed, Black controls b4, and Black's pieces are coordinated around the pawn on e5.

Tactics for both sides

The White course includes a trap against an early knight grab. After 4.dxe6 fxe6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.f4 Ng6 7.e5 Ng8, White plays 8.h4. If Black takes with 8...Nxh4, then 9.Qg4 attacks the knight and the pawn on g7 at once. After 9...Nf5 10.Rxh7 Rxh7 11.Qg6+ Ke7 12.Qxh7, Black's king is stuck on e7 and White's queen has broken into the position.

The Black course has its own trap. If White castles early with 5.Bd3 Bc5 6.Ne2 Nf6 7.O-O, Black jumps forward with 7...Ng4. After 8.h3 h5, taking the knight with 9.hxg4 hxg4 opens the h-file for Black's rook, and 10.g3 Nh4 brings another piece toward White's king.

Other lines in both courses

Against 2.d5 Ne5 3.e4 e6 4.f4, the Black course plays 4...Ng6 with tempo on f4 and continues 5.c4 Bc5. After 7.Nc3 exd5 8.cxd5 d6, Black blocks the d-pawn. Following 9.h3 O-O 10.Bd3 Re8 11.g4 c6 12.dxc6 bxc6, Black has a half-open e-file against e4 and a half-open b-file. Against 2.Nf3, the course covers a quiet fianchetto with 2...d6 3.g3 g6 and a sharper plan where Black meets 4.e4 with 4...Bg4.

The White course also covers the retreat 2...Nb8, where White builds a big center and challenges the fianchetto with 10.Bh6. It covers the Lithuanian center with 2.c4 e5 3.d5, and the Cannstatter 2...Nd4, where White simply takes the knight with 3.Qxd4.

What to train first

Pick the course for the color you play.

• If you face the Mikenas Defense as White, start with the Mikenas Defense course for White. Learn the advance sample line first, then the 8.h4 trap and the Lithuanian center with 2.c4.
• If you play the Mikenas Defense as Black, start with the Mikenas Defense course for Black. Learn the Lithuanian sample line first, then the answer to 4.f4 and the plans against 2.Nf3.
• Whichever side you play, watch where the knight from c6 lands. Much of the opening depends on whether it finds a good square on e5 or g6.

The Mikenas Defense is a rare sideline with sharp ideas. Train the lines until the knight maneuvers and the early tactics feel routine.