Grand Prix Attack - Anti-Sicilian Opening
Grand Prix Attack
Definition
The Grand Prix Attack is an aggressive anti-Sicilian system for White that arises after 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 (or 2. f4) followed by an early f-pawn thrust (f2–f4) and development of the light-squared bishop to c4. Its core idea is to seize space on the kingside and build a rapid attack against Black’s king, often castled short. The setup bypasses vast amounts of main-line Sicilian theory while still posing serious practical difficulties for the second player.
Typical Move Order
The Grand Prix can be reached through several sequences; two of the most common are:
- 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bc4 e6
- 1. e4 c5 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 Nf6 4. Bb5+
In practice, White usually prefers 2. Nc3 first; it discourages the immediate ...d5 break and keeps options flexible. After 3. f4, White has declared his attacking intentions: the f-pawn controls e5, supports an eventual e4–e5 push, and opens the f-file for heavy pieces.
Strategic Themes
- Fast kingside initiative. White often castles short, parks a rook on f1, and steers the queen and knights toward the h-file for mating nets.
- e4–e5 break. When timed correctly, this thrust dislodges the f6-knight, opening direct lines to Black’s monarch.
- Piece placement. Typical squares are Nc3–d5 or f3–g5, Bc4, Qe1–h4, and sometimes a bishop swing to h6 to trade the g7-bishop.
- Center tension. Because White delays d2–d4, Black can challenge the center with ...d5 or ...e6 followed by ...d5. Knowing when to strike back is critical for both sides.
Historical Background
The name “Grand Prix” stems from a series of weekend open tournaments held in Britain during the 1970s and ’80s—the B.C.F. Grand Prix. English masters such as Brian Eley, Mark Hebden, and Julian Hodgson repeatedly used the line to rack up quick wins against less-booked opponents, making it a staple in local circuits. Its popularity surged again in the 2000s when Grandmaster Gawain Jones authored two influential books and scored heavily with the setup in high-level play.
Illustrative Game
Jones – Giri, Reykjavik Open 2014
[[Pgn| 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bb5 Nd4 6.0-0 Nxb5 7.Nxb5 d5 8.d3 Nf6 9.e5 Nd7 10.e6! fxe6 11.Ng5 Nf8 12.c4 a6 13.Nc3 h6 14.Nf3 dxc4 15.dxc4 Qxd1 16.Rxd1 b5 17.cxb5 axb5 18.Nxb5 Ra4 19.Be3 Nd7 20.b3 Re4 21.Kf2 g5 22.fxg5 Bxa1 23.Rxa1 hxg5 24.Nxg5 Rf8+ 25.Ke2 Re5 26.Nf3 Rh5 27.Nc7+ Kf7 28.Ng5+ Kg6 29.Ncxe6 Rf6 30.g4 Rxh2+ 31.Kd3 Ne5+ 32.Ke4 Nxg4 33.Nf4+ Kh6 34.Nf3 Bb7+ 35.Nd5+ Kh5 36.Nxh2 Nxh2 37.Rh1 1-0 |fen|r1b2rk1/2pnnpbp/p1QPp1p1/1p1P1n2/4P3/2NB1N2/PP3PPP/R1B2RK1 w - - 0 10]]Jones sacrificed a pawn with 10.e6! to rip open lines; his ensuing piece activity overwhelmed one of the world’s elite grandmasters.
Typical Plans for White
- Rapidly castle and place a rook on f1.
- Reposition the queen to h4 or g3 targeting h7.
- Push e4–e5 to drive away defenders—often after preparatory moves like Kh1 and Qe1.
- Exchange Black’s fianchettoed g7-bishop via Bc4–h6 to reduce king safety.
- Sacrifice on f5, e6, or h7 if tactical motifs allow.
Defensive Resources for Black
- ...e6 & ...d5. Break open the center before White orchestrates his kingside assault.
- Fianchetto set-up (…g6, …Bg7). Solid, but can become a target; Black must be alert to Bc4–xf7+ tactics.
- …a6 and …b5. Counterattack on the queenside while asking the c4-bishop to declare itself.
- Move-order nuances. Some specialists play 2…d6 followed by …Nc6 and …e6 to blunt Bc4.
Examples of Common Tactical Motifs
- Bxh7+! A classic Greek Gift when the g8-knight and g7-bishop are poorly placed.
- Nf7+ or Nxe6! exploiting an overworked queen on d8.
- Qh4–h6 battery with Bc4 or Nh3–g5 aiming at mate on h7.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The line was a favorite of legendary improviser GM Vladimir Bagirov, who often used it in blitz to stun opponents with limited prep time.
- Former World Champion Garry Kasparov dabbled in the system in simultaneous exhibitions, praising its “punch-first” character as ideal for dynamic players.
- The modern move 6.Bb5 (after 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bc4 e6) is sometimes nicknamed the “Jones Variation” thanks to GM Gawain Jones’s in-depth analysis.
- A surprising stat: in online rapid games above 2400, White scores roughly 55 % in the Grand Prix—significantly higher than the average anti-Sicilian.
When to Choose the Grand Prix
Players who relish initiative, enjoy open tactical melees, and prefer to steer opponents away from deeply analyzed Najdorf or Sveshnikov lines will find the Grand Prix a potent weapon. Conversely, if you thrive on long strategic battles or lack confidence in sharp calculation, a quieter anti-Sicilian such as 2. c3 or 3. Bb5 may suit you better.