Sicilian Knight Variation

The Sicilian Knight Variation arises when Black answers 1. Nf3 Na6 2. e4 with 2...c5. It reaches the same position as 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Na6, an offbeat Sicilian. The most common reply is 3. Bxa6, which gives up the bishop pair to double Black's a-pawns. The main alternatives are 3. d4, opening the center at once, and 3. Nc3. Engines rate White's position as clearly better, and White scores heavily in practice.