Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. a3/2...Nc6/3. b4

=Mengarini Variation= Black can accept the gambit with 3...cxb4 but the best move is the drawish 3...Nf6.

3...cxb4 used to be the main line and is still often seen at amateur levels. The most common continuation is


 * 4. axb4 Nxb4
 * 5. d4 d5
 * 6. c3 Nc6
 * 7. exd5 Qxd5
 * 8. Na3!

Now, Black needs to be precise: The natural moves 8...Nf6, 8...e5, and 8...e6 blunder 9. Nb5.

Theory table
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'''1. e4 c5 2. a3 Nc6 3. b4'''