Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack

Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack

Definition

The McDonnell Attack is an aggressive anti-Sicilian system that begins with the moves 1. e4 c5 2. f4. In modern texts the same position is more commonly grouped under the umbrella of the “Grand Prix Attack,” but historically the credit goes to the Irish master Alexander McDonnell (1798-1835), who used the idea of an early f-pawn thrust against Louis-Charles de La Bourdonnais in their famous 1834 London match. By pushing the f-pawn on move two White immediately seizes space on the kingside, prepares a rapid initiative with pieces aiming at f7, and side-steps the labyrinth of mainline Open Sicilians that arise after 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4.

Typical Move Orders

The attack can reach its characteristic structures by several routes:

• Main line: 1. e4 c5 2. f4 Nc6 3. Nf3 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. Bb5.
• Anti-Dragon set-up: 1. e4 c5 2. f4 d6 3. Nf3 g6 4. Bc4 followed by Qe1-h4 and 0-0-0.
• Delayed Grand Prix: 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 – still carrying McDonnell’s stamp but avoiding an immediate …d5 break.

Strategic Themes

The essence of the McDonnell Attack is an early kingside space grab and the creation of attacking chances with minimal theoretical memorization.

• White’s Plans
  • Place a knight on f3/e5 and a bishop on c4 or b5 to intensify pressure on the f-file and the sensitive f7 square.
  • Play for f4-f5 to pry open the diagonal a2-g8 and the f-file, often combined with Qe1-h4, Rf1, and long castling.
  • Avoid premature d2-d4; instead, keep the center semi-closed so that Black’s counterplay in the c-file is muted.
• Black’s Counterplay
  • Strike in the center with …d5 or …e6 and …d5 before White’s attack gains momentum.
  • Fianchetto the king’s bishop (…g6, …Bg7), castle short, and exploit the half-open c-file with …Qc7, …Rb8, and …b5-b4 ideas.
  • If White has over-expanded with f4-f5, target the e4 pawn or the d4 square with pieces and pawn breaks.

Historical Significance

The line is named after Alexander McDonnell, one of the earliest true chess professionals. During his epic 1834 match against La Bourdonnais he experimented with the pawn thrust f2-f4 against virtually every Black reply, including the then-unfashionable 1…c5. While McDonnell ultimately lost the match, his attacking spirit captured the imagination of later generations. In the late 20^th century English GM’s such as John Nunn, Julian Hodgson, and Murray Chandler revived the same concept under the flashier label “Grand Prix,” using it to score notable upsets in weekend FIDE open events.

Illustrative Mini-Game

[[Pgn| e4|c5|f4|Nc6|Nf3|g6|Bc4|Bg7|Nc3|e6| f5|exf5|exf5|Nge7|fxg6|hxg6|Qe2|d6|d3|Bg4| Bxf7+|Kxf7|Ng5+|Kg8|Qxg4| |fen|| |arrows|f4f5,g6g7|squares|f5,g6,f7]]

The fragment above (based on the game McDonnell–La Bourdonnais, 13^th game, 1834) shows the typical fury: the f-pawn storms forward, lines open around Black’s king, and tactical shots appear on the dark squares. Even though modern theory equips Black with stronger defences, the position is a reminder of the attack’s original intent—direct, dangerous play.

Modern Usage & Practical Tips

• Time Controls: The McDonnell/Grand Prix is especially popular in rapid and blitz, where confronting an opponent with fresh, non-mainline problems can pay big dividends.
• Theoretical Load: Although lighter than Najdorf theory, precise move-orders matter—e.g., inserting 3. Nc3 to frustrate an immediate …d5, or delaying Nf3 to keep the option of Bb5.
• Transpositions: The opening often morphs into Closed Sicilian structures if White refrains from an early d2-d4, or into a Smith-Morra Gambit decline after 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5.

Interesting Facts

• Despite its romantic origins, contemporary engines give the immediate 2. f4 a slightly inferior score (≈ +0.15) compared with the main Open Sicilian, yet it still scores over 55 % in OTB master practice below 2500 Elo.
• GM Magnus Carlsen tried the system (via 2. Nc3 followed by 3. f4) in an online blitz arena in 2020, winning an instructive miniature in just 25 moves.
• The move 2. f4 against 1…e5 is of course the King’s Gambit; thus the McDonnell Attack can be jokingly called “a King’s Gambit against everything.”