The razor-sharp Kveinis variation has often been considered inferior to other variations of the Sicilian French Variation, yet statistics show it scores better than any other at club level! It scores equally well to many other variations at grandmaster level, too.

By playing 4...Qb6, Black puts pressure on White's d4 knight and b2 pawn. With the dark-squared bishop ready to add more pressure from c5, Black also x-rays f2. White must be extremely careful not make any false moves. The opening is especially efficacious in blitz and bullet games where White might not have time to spot the danger. For example: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qb6 5. Nc3 Bc5 6. Nce2 e5 7. Nb3 Bxf2+ 8. Kd2 Qe3#

Black must also be extremely careful about capturing White's 'poisoned pawn' on b2. It's a tactical mastermind between the two sides that can frequently give rise to tense, exciting middlegames.