Thoughts on Sicilian New Grand Prix Attack 1e4 c5 2 Be2

Hello everyone, wanted some input on this particular line I saw in one of GingerGM's youtube channel. Basically it's another version of the Grand Prix Attack with ideas such as f4 d3  Nf3 c3 Be3 Nd2 Qe1 and Qh4. Looks solid to me, with either a potential attack, or a slow maneuvering game. Is it possible to have this as a main response until I reach 1800 or 1900 rating, or do I buckle down and learn main line sicilians?

They are in the title, my bad, so 1e4 c5 2Be2, with ideas of 3.f4 4.d3 5c3, ,Nf3, Nd2, Qe1

So like this, or something like this

Holy moly, have to edit my previous comment, yeah that's a mistake, thanks for catching that!

Wow! Didn't realize Magnus played this recently, alright, this opening seems to have some credibility attached to its name then.

that's basically a slightly inferior version of the "big clamp" because the bishop on e2 is probably better off not existing. Here's the big clamp.

Magnus also played this

bruh how did Ding not play the Tal gambit which basically refutes 2.f4 at high level

I currently play the big clamp right now but now sure if it's working for me exactly how I want it to. Perhaps I should dive deeper into some lines for Closed Sicilian.

I play Closed Sicilian f4 variations. basically play h3 g4, if they play f5 just take and play in the center. ez plans

The Grand Prix attack is great if played corectly, mediocre if played with a bunch of innaccuracies(7+) and terrible if you have 1 or 2 mistakes in my experience and the experience I have playing against people who do this opening. 

It is an opening that requires minimum mistakes and is high maitenence in my opinion. Since it is not along the mainlines it is different.

However depending on who's hands they position is in, it can either be highly effective or just another opening in someone's book. But personally for me I think the Grand Prix is great to avoid Sicilian mainlines, and since I like closed Sicilians from the white or black side it makes it the better... 

That is how I feel about the opening... 

sometimes in bullet and stuff I play 3.f4 but then play g3 d3 and Bg2 transposing LOL

lol @SNUDOO

@TeacherOfPain I see, but if it is high maintenence, then perhaps it is best if I just stick to the regular closed Sicilian right? Or is the Closed Sicilian the same way?

there is no way someone is gonna study the closed f4 sicilian

@XxDarkKnight402xX

It just was suggestion. If you want to keep playing it that's fine, but why are you questioning my response, isn't this a forum about our thoughts on the opening? With Respect of course!

Also in response to this, since you responded to the question, not neccessarily, it depends on the strengths and weaknesses of a player, meaning it may seem high maitenence for me, but for others it may not. But nevertheless is a good opening if played correctly. 

The Closed Sicilian is somewhat the same way, however usuaully has the bishop Fianchettoed on kingside making a stronghold and good influence among the light squares in the battle for e4 and d5 in the closed Sicilian. But the Grand prix usually doesn't fianchetto so it makes it more difficult and therefore more high maitenence in that way. 

It just depends on your preferences that's all. I probably could've explained that better so if anyone wants to chime in I'm all ears, but for this that was just a brief description. 

@TeacherOfPain Oh my guy I was referring to myself not to you, sorry for the misunderstanding.

Also @SNUDOO 

The same could be said for 1.Nc3, lol...

So you can't disrespect the closed Sicilian, because it is actually a good system if played in the right hands... and among this f4 in the closed Sicilian is playable, but then again it depends on what you are going for, win, draw or what type of style you are and what is your personality etc.

And don't get offended, Nc3 could be good in the right hands as well, but f4 in the closed sicilian is fine for the most part, the only reason it doesn't seem good is because many players don't play it right and timley and it causes the position to fall apart because of positional mistakes and blunders. But if you would see the position being played correctly by a person who actually studies it, your mind might change. But then again maybe not, but the opening is fine. 

That's all I am saying @SNUDOO!

@XxDarkKnight402xX

Sorry then for wasting your time, lol...

You were probably wondering why I responded. 

But hopefully even so you got some information/knowledge out of this. But even so, I do think Closed Sicilain is fine in pretty much any situation, whether you want a win or draw, in any time format, or if you are facing a higher or lower rated players. I think it is one of those few openings that has those balanced characteristics without being a seemingly balanced opening from looks if you know what I mean.

If you are interested, then nice! If not, I am sure there are other openings that are better for your style, but the closed Sicilian, and specifically the Grand Prix attack is good, but the only problem that I found is that again if something is loose in the position and the position falls then it is hard to recover such in a closed and highly positionally aware game that required attention to detail. Other than that you will be good to go in my opinion for the closed Sicilian.

Honestly that could go for many closed positions but requires a combination of patience, good positional play, awareness, good planning and being good at improvising.

I mean idk, I really liked the way GingerGM broke it down in his video, perhaps I'll play a couple of more blitz games and see what happens. Or maybe I could just cycle between the two , closed and Grand Prix. I like the sound of that also. Actually @TeacherOfPain would you happen to know of any good channels or resources where I could learn more about the Grand Prix?

basically 2 be2 lines suggested by gm simon williams is a reversed classical dutch which could be argued an improved version because you have e4 in so early because you're white. supposed to work against any setup chosen by black.  one of the drawbacks is you can't advantageously avoid the endgame after ..d5, and dxe4, so if you like playing with the queen then this might not appeal to you. i think most will head for the endgame though since allowing the typical idea qe1-h4, f5, bh6 ng5 is not a good practical choice for black even if he can defend.