Theoria
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Alekhine Defense

Two Pawns Attack, Mikenas Variation

B02tacticaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4Nf6
  2. 2.e5Nd5
  3. 3.c4Nb6
  4. 4.c5Nd5
  5. 5.Bc4e6
  6. 6.Nc3d6
95 games51%45%

A Lasker Attack line of the Alekhine Defense in which Black strikes at White's advanced c5 and e5 pawns with ...d6, leading to a central fight.

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About the Mikenas Variation

The Mikenas Variation arises in the Lasker Attack when White meets 5. Bc4 e6 with 6. Nc3, bringing a second piece to bear on the knight on d5. Black replies 6...d6, attacking the advanced pawns at once rather than preparing ...b6. White usually captures with 7. cxd6, and 7. Nxd5 is the main alternative. The rarer 7. exd6 has scored poorly for White. Engines give White a slight edge.

Popular continuations