How do I play the Grand Prix Attack??

So I think the Grand Prix Attack is pretty cool. 

But I'm having trouble learning it, so I was wondering if anyone could give my some pointers.

Especially on:

*When do I play the f5 move? It seems really good, but I'm afraid of losing a pawn.

*Why does white always play Qe1 at some point? Isn't Re1 better?

Also, where did I go wrong here in this game? I thought I was supposed to exploit weaknesses?

Indeed, I don't agree with 2Q1C being muted. There are far worse trolls here who destroy the forums who are still around. 

What's with all the sudden posts? Have you been associating with 2Q1C and caught Posting Disease from him? Or did someone hack your account? And what's with asking for help on the Grand Prix Attack? I'm trying to learn from *you*, darn it. You're shaking my confidence, Cherub.

The f5 idea fits with Qe1 because white wants to play his queen to h4 and his bishop to h6, facilitated by getting the f pawn out of the way, with a knight coming up to g5. I haven't played it for years, but seem to recall that white is gambiting the pawn in many lines, but restricting black and activating his rook. This rook is sometimes sacrificed for the knight on f6. (which of course it couldn't if it was on e1:-)  )

I should say as well that white is playing for a quick knockout most of the time and shouldn't be worried about the loss of a pawn ! :-)

Thank you. I need to get over my fear of losing pawns. 

A great book for learning the Grand Prix Attack (for the first time) is...

"My First Chess Opening Repertoire for White" by Vincent Moret.....

https://www.amazon.com/First-Chess-Opening-Repertoire-White/dp/9056916335/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1492653715&sr=1-1&keywords=my+first+chess+opening+repertoire+for+white

Chapter 4 of the book is all about the GPA, how to play it step-by-step.   It's the best tutorial on this opening that I have come across.  The book itself is excellent overall - a complete repertoire for White targeted to the beginner-intermediate player.  I posted a review of the book on Amazon as RLBell, as well as in the following forum thread...

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/good-chess-books-for-beginners-and-beyond

Thanks. If 2Q1C sees your post, I wonder if he'll pirate the book..?

Cherub? What in god's name are you doing? 

With 2Q1C muted, someone needs to keep up the flow of serious chess discussion on these forums. 

It's a heavy task to bear, and I know I'm too selfless for my own good, but indeed I am bound by my devotion to this site. 

What line takes the fun out of the GP? How about 2...d5?

It certainly might. Although I'd insist on carry with my plan, with 3.Nf3!

dude your trolling is SO OBVIOUS. Like 2Q1C or VladimerHerceg91 kind of obvious.

Trolling? I know what you're thinking - after 2...d5 3.Nf3! d4 black does indeed gain space, but after 4.Nxd4! black is forced to bring out his/her queen with ...Qxd4, which we know is bad in the opening. 

I'm tired of getting called a troll around here. If you can show some evidence of me "trolling" I would appreciate your point of view, but as of now it's a ridiculous acquisition. I run the most serious chess club on the site for pete's sake!

You mean every post? 

And it didn't seem like the most serious club on chess.com. I joined, checked it out, and left.

You are better than that. I recommend you stop pretending to be about 1000-1300 points lower than your skill 

You're just making bold statements. Which posts? All my posts are an engagement in intellectual chess discussion. I know many people here who would vouch for me. 

By many people, you mean 2Q1C right? As far as I know of he doesn't currently have multiple accounts... but who knows?
Of course, you two would vouch for each other. 

I assure Logozar my boy, that there are in fact many others. I really don't understand why you doubt me. Have I not done my best as a chess writer? Have I not tried to engage the community in intellectual chess discussion? Have I not been courteous to others? Have I not been helpful, relevant, and nice? 

I once believed you are not a troll, but your many posts have changed my mind.

I admit - a pleasant one :)

You seem to have excellent grammar and speak like a philosopher 

I think you claiming 2Q1C is not a troll - publicly - discredits you.