Sicilian Defense: Grand Prix Attack, Schofman Variation

Sicilian Defense: Grand Prix Attack

Definition

The Grand Prix Attack is an aggressive Anti-Sicilian system for White that arises after 1. e4 c5 followed by an early f2–f4. The two most common move orders are:

• 1. e4 c5 2. f4 (direct)
• 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 (sidesteps 2…d5) 2…Nc6 (or another developing move) 3. f4

White’s set-up resembles a King’s Gambit deferred: knights develop to f3 and c3, the light-squared bishop often goes to c4 or b5, and a quick Qe1–h4 and f4–f5 create mating threats against the Black king.

Strategic Themes

• Rapid kingside pressure. The pawn on f4 restricts Black’s central counterplay while enabling f5, Bh6, and Qh4 ideas.
• Piece activity over material. White is happy to give up the two bishops or a pawn if the initiative grows.
• Control of d5. A knight on c3 and pawn on e4 try to prevent Black’s freeing break …d5.
• Black’s counterplay. …g6 with a kingside fianchetto (as in the Schofman Variation) or …e6 and …d5 setups aim to blunt the attack and strike in the centre.

Historical Background

The name “Grand Prix” traces back to weekend Open tournaments of the British Chess Federation Grand Prix series in the 1970s–80s, where English players such as IM Michael Basman, GM Julian Hodgson, and GM Mark Hebden scored heavily with the line. Although never considered completely sound at the very top level, it remains a dangerous practical weapon that can produce miniature upsets—especially in rapid and blitz.

Notable Example

Julian Hodgson employed the Grand Prix to defeat several elite grandmasters. A typical attacking finish can be seen in the miniature below:

Interesting Facts

• Garry Kasparov briefly tested the Grand Prix in blitz, confessing he “wanted to feel how club players crush people with it.”
• The line is especially popular in online bullet, where shortcuts to attack matter more than long-term structural weaknesses.
• Because theory is less forcing than in mainline Sicilians, the Grand Prix often transposes into unfamiliar territory by move 10—an attractive prospect for surprise-seekers.

Schofman Variation (Grand Prix Attack)

Definition & Move-Order

The Schofman Variation is a principled way for Black to meet the Grand Prix Attack by fianchettoing the dark-squared bishop at once:

1. e4 c5
2. Nc3 Nc6 (or 2…d6)
3. f4 g6

Play typically continues 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bb5 Nd4, when Black challenges the annoying bishop and stakes central squares. The line is named after Israeli IM Yair Schofman, who used it successfully in the early 1980s.

Strategic Ideas for Both Sides

• Black:
  • Fianchetto on g7 hits e5 and d4, slowing White’s pawn storm.
  • …d6 – …e6 or immediate …e5 can open the centre while the king is still safe.
  • After …Nd4, exchanging on b5 eliminates White’s attacking bishop.
• White:
  • Maintain the bishop pair with Bc4 if Bb5 is challenged.
  • Prepare f5: ideas include Qe1, d3, and castling short.
  • If Black plays …e6, break with d4 or f5 depending on timing.

Typical Plans Illustrated

Historical & Practical Significance

The fianchetto system gained traction after Schofman’s successful use against fellow Israeli masters. Modern engines confirm its robustness: Black scores respectably and avoids the “mate-in-25” pitfalls of less flexible setups. Consequently, the Schofman Variation is now the most popular reply to 3. f4 at club and grandmaster levels alike.

Notable Games

• Yair Schofman – Boris Gelfand, Israeli Championship 1984: a textbook demonstration where Black equalised easily and later won the endgame.
• Adams – Short, London Rapid 1999: Short neutralised Adams’ attack with …g6 and …Nd4, steering the game to a quick draw.
• Hikaru Nakamura – Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Internet Blitz 2020: illustrates how modern engines recommend early d5 breaks for Black.

Interesting Tidbits

• Because the line is so solid, some theoreticians jokingly call 3…g6 the “Anti-Grand Prix,” claiming it removes all “cheap thrills” from White’s set-up.
• Grandmasters sometimes delay 2.Nc3, opting for 2.f4 directly, precisely to avoid the Schofman move order.
• The Israeli connection lives on: GM Boris Avrukh includes 3…g6 as his main recommendation for Black in several repertoire books.