How To Master The Mikenas Defense

Most chess openings stress about which pawn to move first and how far. White played d4, which pawn move puts me in the best position?

Well, what if you just... developed a piece. With Nc6 in the Mikenas Defense, Black develops a piece and targets the central e5 square, keeping pawn options open.

In this week's email, let's take a look at how this opening works.

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Mikenas Defense
​1. d4 Nc6

The Mikenas Defense develops Black's Knight immediately, prioritising piece activity over central pawn control.

Also known as the Queen's Knight Defense, Lundin Defense, or Kevitz-Mikenas Defense (if you hear any of these they're all essentially the same thing), this opening maintains maximum pawn flexibility while preparing potential central breaks like e5.

Despite being a one-move opening, it's actually so rare that many club players have never encountered it. Consequently, it's another of those "what do I do now?" openings. Nc6 is less solid than Nf6, since if White pushes the pawn you're forced to move the Knight. No bueno.

Surprisingly though, this d5 push only happens 13% of the time according to Lichess. Black's most popular response to d5 is - you guessed it - Ne5.

The opening was named after Vladas Mikenas (1910-1992), a Lithuanian chess master who loved this unusual approach. It also gives a nod to other players who contributed to its development, including Erik Lundin and Alexander Kevitz (hence the Lundin Defense and Kevit-Mikenas Defense names from earlier).

But what's the idea?

In essence, you're switching up the approach to opening philosophy.

Instead of controlling the center first, then developing pieces, the Mikenas develops a piece first then aims to control the center based on how the board evolves.

This can be psychologically unsettling for opponents who have built their entire opening repertoire around fighting for central control from move one. Of course, this IS d4, so if they're playing the London... well, at least you won't have to move your Knight.

Either way, the Knight on c6 creates immediate tension. White knows they can push d5 at some point to challenge it, but when? Too early and they might overextend; too late and Black might consolidate with e5.

This timing question often leads White into unfamiliar territory where their theoretical knowledge doesn't help much. And if the Mikenas is in your repertoire, you'll be familiar with all responses and able to take advantage of their confusion.

For Black, the idea is about staying flexible and reactive. You keep your options open and let White show their hand. Then, based on your experience playing this opening, you respond in the best possible way.

White's Responses

While fighting the temptation of pushing to d5, White has a couple of options. Let's take a look.

2. Nf3 This is White's most popular move, developing a piece and adding a defender. Keeps the possibility for d5 open while preventing Black's Knight from jumping to e5. This move practically forces Nf6 or d5 from Black. It's also the start of the London System.

2. c4 Surprisingly, c4 beats e4 in terms of popularity. White sips their metaphorical teacup and begins an English Opening line. This puts pressure on d5 and prepares to fight for central control.

2. e4 The classic response, transposing into the Nimzowitsch Defense. It gives White a pawn center but allows Black to continue with e5 or d6, leading to balanced positions.

2. d5 The move we've been waiting for. This directly challenges the Knight, giving Black the option of moving, retreating, or getting captured. The retreat isn't awful, but you're tying a hand behind your back for a time.

Other moves you might see include Bf4 for Jobava or London variants, or e3 to add a pawn defender on d4.

Example Line

Time to see it in action. Here are the first 9 moves of a master game using the Mikenas Defense.

Can you guess who won from this position?

1. d4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e5 4. dxe5 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 dxc4 6. e3 Qe7 7. Bxc4 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 Nxe5 9. Nxe5 Qxe5 ​

This game uses both Nf3 originally, baiting d5, then initiates the Queen's Gambit with c4. Black replies with a play of their own with e5. White takes, then a bunch of trading happens to simplify the board.

I prefer White's position here, of course; active pieces and a King ready to castle, but a hanging pawn on b2. Black, however, has development options and an active Queen.

In the end, this game was actually a draw by repetition! Full game found on Lichess here.​

Don't Like Memorising? Then You'll Like The Mikenas

This opening is perfect for players who prefer positional and piece understanding over memorising lots of lines. And that's a lot of alliteration. While knowing lines will help, simply understanding the board and move reasoning - while getting hands-on experience playing it - is your best bet for winning games with the Mikenas.

It's great for practical players who do well when the position is unclear, or for those who like the challenge of handling slightly worse but still playable board states.

Want To Master The Mikenas Defense?

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Knights ARE Better Than Pawns, Right?

... even if you have to risk a pawn push. But if you're playing this opening, you can handle it.

What are your thoughts on the Mikenas Defense? And what did you think of the email? Hit reply and let me know.

And if there's an opening you'd like covered, simply email me and I'll add it to the schedule!

I'll be back next Tuesday with another chess opening...
Until then, keep climbing!

James
Chess Cheat Sheets
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