Sicilian Defense: Grand Prix Attack: Plans and Traps

Key ideas for both sides

White

Play Nf3, then put the bishop on b5 or c4 for active play.
After castling, f5 and a queen move toward the kingside can start an attack.
Keep d3 ready so the e4 pawn stays protected against ...d5 breaks.
Against ...Nd4, trade the knight and use the half-open f-file for pressure.

Black

3...g6 and ...Bg7 are the safest choice, as in the top engine line.
...Rb8 and ...b5 start queenside counterplay while White builds on the kingside.
...e6 and ...d5 strike in the center against White's f4 setup and slow Bc4.
...Nh6 or ...Nd4 can be useful jumps to fight for key squares.

Plans and pawn structure

White builds Nf3, Bb5 or Be2, O-O and d3, then looks at f5 to open the kingside. Black has many good options: ...g6 and ...Bg7 with ...Rb8 and ...b5 for queenside play, or ...e6 and ...d5 to hit the center. The game often comes down to timing: if White's attack is faster, Black gets mated; if Black's counterplay hits first, White's king is short of defenders.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.37: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:

−0.37 3...g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.Be2
−0.23 3...Nh6 4.Nf3 e6 5.Bb5 Nd4 6.Nxd4
−0.22 3...e6 4.Nf3 Nh6 5.Be2 a6 6.O-O

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

3,477 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.0%.

under 120049.1%

1200–159953.7%

1600–199951.6%

2000 and up52.0%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

Grand Prix Attack, Schofman Variation3...g6 · rare

How to play against it

With Black, play 3...g6 and ...Bg7 for a setup that covers e5 and d4. Add ...Rb8 and ...b5 for counterplay. Avoid leaving the kingside weak with early ...h6 or ...f5, which gives White's f5 push and piece attack clear targets.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Grand Prix Attack?

The Sicilian Defense: Grand Prix Attack starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4. Its ECO code is B23.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Grand Prix Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.37 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 3,477 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.0%. A favorite for attacking White players; Black is fine with a solid setup and a queenside plan.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Grand Prix Attack?

White plays f4 early to aim for a kingside attack. Black fianchettoes with ...g6 or plays ...e6 and ...d5 to blunt it and counterattack.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is g6, with Nh6 and e6 close behind. 3...g6 and ...Bg7 build a solid setup against White's kingside push.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.

Sicilian Defense: Grand Prix Attack