Mikenas Defense: Lithuanian Variation
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The Lithuanian Variation is an opening that derives from the Mikenas Defense and it has the following moves: 1.d4 Nc6 2.c4 e5 3.d5 Nce7
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| Moves | 1.d4 Nc6 2.c4 e5 3.d5 Nce7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ECO | A40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Named after | Vladas Mikėnas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | Mikenas Defense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Origin[edit]
This variation was created by the International Master and Honorary Grandmaster Vladas Mikėnas in 1937, in a game against Samuel Reshevsky in Stockholm, Sweden. Mikenas lost in a Rook, Knight and Bishop endgame due to Reshevsky's two center pawns advantage. 1-0
Theory[edit]
The theory consists in bringing the c6 Knight to the square of g6 and start a quick domination of the kingside with moves such as Ng6; Nf6; e6; Bg4; 0-0, etc. Besides that the e5 pawn controls the crucial squares of f4-d4. As in the Chigorin Defense, White should've a pleasant position if they have the knowledge of the opening theory. White's plans should be focusing on consolidating his center with e4 and Nc3, and start a common breakout with the move f4. Black should respond and counter-attack with dynamic play. Although White's slightly better in the opening phase, Black has good attacking prospects. The Mikenas Defense and the Lithuanian Variation are considered part of the Hypermodern School of Chess.
English Connection[edit]
The Lithuanian Variation can be reached with the English Opening aswell. By playing the Anglo-Lithuanian Variation (1.c4 Nc6) of the English, after d4; e5; d5; Nce7 we've reached the Lithuanian Variation of the Mikenas Defense.
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| Moves | 1.c4 Nc6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ECO | A10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin | Lithuania | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | English Opening | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Illustrative Games:[edit]
Koneru, Humpy (2589) vs Short, Nigel D. (2677), Round 6, Gibraltar Masters 10th, Caleta, 2012
1. d4 Nc6 2. c4 e5 3. d5 Nce7 4. Nc3 Ng6 5. g3 a5 6. Bg2 Bc5 7. Na4 Bb4+ 8. Bd2 d6 9. Bxb4 axb4 10. b3 Bd7 11. Nb2 Ra3 12. Nf3 Qa8 13. Qb1 Nf6 14. O-O Bg4 15. Nd1 O-O 16. Ne3 Qa5 17. Nc2 Bf5 18. Nfe1 Ra8 19. e4 Bxe4 20. Bxe4 Nxe4 21. Nxa3 Nd2 22. Qc2 bxa3 23. b4 Qxb4 24. Nd3 Qa5 25. Rfd1 Nf3+ 26. Kg2 Nd4 27. Qd2 Qa6 28. Nb4 Qxc4 29. Rac1 Qb5 30. Rxc7 h6 31. Qc3 Ra4 32. Rxd4 exd4 33. Qf3 Qe8 34. Rxb7 Ne5 35. Qb3 Ra8 36. Na6 Qd8 37. Nc7 Rc8 38. Nb5 d3 39. Nxa3 d2 40. Nb1 Nc4 41. Qd3 Qa5 42. Re7 Qb4 43. Qf5 Rf8 44. Qc2 Rb8 45. Nc3 Qb2 0-1
Smyslov, Vasily vs Rossetto, Hector Mar del Plata International 27(11),1962
1. c4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. d5 Nce7 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. g3 Ng6 6. Bg2 Bb4 7. Qc2 a5 8. e4 d6 9. Ne2 O-O 10. O-O Bd7 11. Na4 Qe8 12. Nec3 Qc8 13. Nb5 Bh3 14. Bxh3 Qxh3 15. a3 c6 16. axb4 cxb5 17. Nb6 Ra6 18. bxa5 bxc4 19. f3 Nd7 20. Nxc4 Rc6 21. Be3 f5 22. exf5 Ne7 23. Qb3 Nxf5 24. Qxb7 Rxc4 25. Qxd7 h5 26. Rac1 Rxc1 27. Rxc1 Kh7 28. b4 Ra8 29. Bf2 1-0
References[edit]
Smyslov vs Rossetto, 1962 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1125996
Koneru vs Short, 2012 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1655154
- Sid Pickard (2001). The Bozo-Indian Defense. ChessCentral. Search this book on
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