The Mighty Mikenas, Part 1

Many amatuers (like me) realize the large amount of theory that can come after both 1.e4 and 1.d4, yet we don't want to play sidelines and give up trying for an advantage. For a good portion of those people (including me) we turn to flank openings after 1.c4 or Nf3. After 1.c4 white can pick and choose from many systems without having to dig through mountains of theory while sticking to the most dangerous lines. White does, however, need to find a way to deviate when black wants to steer us into heavy theory territory. The first stop is 1.c4, Nf6 2.Nc3, e6, when black obviously wants us to go into the Catalan after g3, or a Nimzo-Indian, Benoni, or Queen's Gambit after d4. As a solution, I reccomend 3.e4, the very dangerous Mikenas Attack. White really only needs to know one line plus small sidelines, whereas black will normally have a very rough ride unless he knows exactly what he is doing. After 1.c4, Nf6 2.Nc3, e6 3.e4, most of blacks alternatives to the two main lines either allow e5, d4, or both, so first to whet your appetite for this opening, we will give you a short excerpt from one of my games where I got a winning position against a strong master before move 20!

Next is a beautifual win in the main line of the opening. White does not only avoid an ending a pawn down, he goes for it with glee!

Thank you for reading my intro to this powerful opening. Thank you to www.chessgames.com for the second game.

-Unownasofyet