Mikenas-Carls, Sicilian

In the Mikenas-Carls Variation White uses 3. e4 to prevent a Queen's Gambit Declined. The Sicilian line, ECO A19, has Black strike at d4 with 3...c5 rather than challenge the center with 3...d5, the Flohr Variation, or play 3...Nc6, the Kevitz Variation. The idea is to reach a Sicilian-type game. If White later plays Nf3 and d4, the c4 pawn gives a Maróczy-style grip. If White avoids d4, the game becomes a closed struggle for the d4 and d5 squares.

The most common reply is 4. e5. It gains space and drives the f6 knight from its natural post, so Black must reorganize while hitting the advanced pawn. 4. d3 and 4. g3 are quieter. They build a flexible setup with the e4 pawn supported, and g3 prepares a kingside fianchetto. Among these, 4. g3 has given White the best results. The engine also lists 4. Nf3 and 4. Be2 among White's best moves, and it rates the position as roughly balanced with a small plus for White. Draws are rare in practice, and White scores slightly better overall.