Grand Prix Attack

The idea

White plays f4 early, controlling e5 and preparing a kingside attack. In this line, 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7, Black fianchettoes the bishop, and White builds up for f4-f5.

It has been described as a King's Gambit against the Sicilian, aiming for a quick kingside attack.

Plans for White

A typical setup is Nf3, Bc4 or Bb5, O-O and d3, then f5 to open lines toward Black's king. The queen often comes to the kingside via e1 and h4, and the bishop on c1 can go to e3 or, after f5, to h6 or g5.

Plans for Black

Against Bc4, play ...e6 and ...d5 to blunt the bishop and hit the center. Against Bb5, ...Nd4 attacks it and gains central space. Either way, keep the bishop on g7 and play in the center or on the queenside before White's attack arrives.

Watch out for

For Black, castling into the attack without counterplay. If White gets f5 in and the queen to h4, Black's kingside can collapse quickly.

For White, an attack that comes too late. If Black's ...d5 opens the center while White's pieces are pointing at the kingside, White's position falls apart.