What's Hot- August '00
How to beat the Grand Prix AttackShannon Oliver from Canberra, Australia has e-mailed and wants to know how to beat the Grand Prix Attack? Well, that task has defeated some of the best players in the world who are happy to debate the main lines at every opportunity. |
Instead of trying to remember numerous variations I would suggest a good practical defence for Black at club level is to meet 1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 e6 3 f4 with a quick …d7-d5. This is fine but as Shannon usually plays a Dragon she might be tricked into another variation after 3 Nf3 intending d4 when 2…e6 means her favoured opening is a remote possibility.
Therefore, I propose to follow the winning example of Holmstein - Herrera where after 1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 d6 3 f4 Black came up with 3…a6.
            
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The idea is stop the standard lines with Bb5 and if Bc4 then the prospect of …b7-b5 is awkward for White's ambitions.
In Bednyi - Grachev this proves to be successful in stopping White building up the standard attack associated with the opening.
If you want to see White sacrificing a bishop after just five moves it is worth checking out the imaginative example Sebastian - Breier. Sebasitian wins material but his queen gets trapped and he pays a heavy price for his greed.
Finally, Sorokin - Shneider
is interesting because after 4 d4 White tries to play a sort of open Sicilian
but loses time after an early excursion with his queen.
I think 3…a6 is a great practical choice at club level to upset White who
has to adapt his usual strategy to meet the change in circumstances.
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