Grand Prix Attack

LOL

The version of the grand prix attack with 1.e4 c5 2. f4 is not so good for white because black has the well known gambit 2...d5!  

  I play the grand prix as white.  Some common variations are:

1.e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bb5

5 Bc4 used to be played for white but it has been found to be not so good because black can play e6-Ne7 and d5 kicking the bishop back.  THere are complicated lines but most people play Bb5 now. 

Another common line is 1.e4 c5 2. Nc3 nc6 3. f4 e6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb5

I have 2 books on the grand prix as well as a chessbase dvd and some roman dzindziashvili dvds.  I've been pretty successful with it.  

I will be adding a blog that talks about the Grand Prix Attack when I get more time. You touched on some key points I will be talking about.

The 1.e4 c5 2.f4   line is'nt played much any more becuase of d5 you are exactly right which is why I didn't put this move order as first choice in my intro. I have other in front of it. However, I wanted to add it just incase people want to try that move order. I personally don't think its best move order either many high level players seem to agree as well which is why they play 2.Nc3 in higher level's.

The only thing I would like to touch on to what you have said is the part I highlighted in red. I will be making a blog that talks about this as well. I will say just for clarification that Bc4 in that specific move order position is bad. However, Bc4 and Bb5  have their uses it depends on the position.

The bishop's deployment to c4 or b5 usually revolve around what the opponent does.

For example if I was to show the move order 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.f4 Nc6 4.Nf3 g6

The best move in the position for the bishop would be to play 5.Bc4 becuase the d pawn has alread committed itself to d6. So if d5 comes now it would come at lost of a tempo.

On the flip side if I was to show you the move order

1.e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7

5.Bb5 is good becuase black has not commited his d pawn yet and may play e6 than d5 hitting the bishop without the loss of tempo.

So Bc4 and Bb5 have their advantage's in certain position's. In high levels of chess most people after 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3  they do not play d6. However, you be surpised how many 1700's or below have played d6 against me. It didn't end pretty for them and my bishop did go to c4.

Indeed, The GPA is a very nice line for sure. It is full of richness.

I think you are confused Fkey.

I wrote a article explaining the idea's of the GPA and why white play's 2.Nc3 which is the below link.

http://www.chess.com/blog/X_PLAYER_J_X/understanding-the-grand-prix-attack

You are coming to my forum to see a game which begin after the following move's 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.f4

The problem is you will not see me do that becuase I like to win. I hate losing. Only time you will see me do that is if I'm not sober. However, usually when that happens I'm not playing chess or near a computer.

After black plays 2...e6. White must change line's for survival. White can not play a GPA any more. If you have been playing the GPA in this move order in your own games and have been losing. It is because you can't survive like this.

The line Black is playing. Its whole mission in life is to stop the GPA. Its a solid line that stops it. If you have been winning from this position well than you rock and your opponent blundered. However, in truth you should lose every time.

What you have to do to win to survive is to change the line your playing after they make those move's.

Here is how you can do it.

Their you go now your playing an Open Sicilian. No longer are you playing a Grand Prix Attack becuase black has stopped the GPA. The above line I showed is 1 possible way to play with your move order you gave.

Another way is what I do.

At move 3 after black plays 2...e6 I change line's like a butterfly Fkey. It is the way to do it.

Read the article I posted above it should really help you.

Well Thank you very much BigGStikman.

Fkey was wanting to see a game with those similar move order's and I honestly didn't have one for her. However, you have rescued the day.

It also seems like you did the same thing I was saying a few moments ago. By playing d4 against it. Yeah that def seems like the move their.

While it is possible to play d4 and transpose back into some tame variations of the sicilian for white, the normal thing to do for white when black plays a6 early is to play g3.  

  That's been covered in at least one of the 2 recent grand prix books, as well as in laurence trent's chessbase dvd on the grand prix.

I beat an 1900 player in a long time game OTB back when I was 1142 rated.. TOO OP opening.

Indeed very true.

Those who have played the Leningrad Dutch will find the g3 variations relatively pleasant.

The only reason you think the g3 variation's against the Leningrad Dutch is pleasant is becuase you haven't gone to my other forum.

I don't think they find it pleasant at all lol.

In fact that guy was talking smack to me than started playing very offbeat line's to try and get some kind of advantage.

I think you misunderstood me. I play the Leningrad Dutch, and I also play the Grand Prix. When forced into the g3 lines in GP, I'm quite comfortable because they resemble another opening I play.

O I get what you mean now yeah it is very nice.