Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. a3

Delayed Mengarini Variation The delayed Mengarini Variation (French Wing Variation) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense where White plays a move that delays development for an interesting idea: playing the move b4. The move a3 itself is not the best choice since it does not control the center and does not develop any pieces. Black can respond in several ways, including /3...g6/ to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop, /3...Nf6/, /3...d6/, and /3...e5/.