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Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack for White
The Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack starts with 1.e4 c5 2.f4, and it immediately asks Black a practical question: will they accept the challenge in the centre, or meet it with a solid setup? This is not a forcing opening where you memorise one long trap. It is a playable, sharp choice that can still reach a roughly equal game if you handle the early moves well. Use the drill below to practise the critical position where Black is to move, and get used to the most common replies.
Play the Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack against the engine
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Create a free account →What this opening is really asking for
With 2.f4, you take space and signal an aggressive start. As White, your job is simple: keep your position organised, develop smoothly, and be ready for Black’s central counterplay. Because you have advanced the f-pawn early, king safety and move order matter more than usual. The position can stay balanced, but only if you avoid drifting into loose play and keep your pieces active.
What the engine says here
Stockfish rates this -0.20, a small plus for Black. That means you are slightly worse here. The good news is that the position is still very close to equal, so good play matters more than memorising a huge amount of theory. In the drill, focus on making Black work for the central break rather than panicking about the score.
The main reply to know
The engine’s best move is e6, and the continuation given is e6 Nf3 d5 Bb5+. That tells you the main battle is about central control and quick development. If Black chooses this setup, respond by developing naturally and keeping your pieces coordinated. Your goal is to avoid falling behind in development while Black contests the centre.
What the database shows
Across 12,797,467 games at this exact position, the result is almost perfectly split: White wins 48.6%, draws 3.2%, and Black wins 48.2%. That is a strong hint that this position is playable for both sides and not decided by the opening alone. The most common replies are Nc6 with 5,395,557 games, d6 with 2,961,596 games, e6 with 2,179,092 games, d5 with 1,061,148 games, g6 with 505,377 games, and a6 with 203,835 games. In the drill, you will get experience against the replies you are most likely to meet.
Results across 12,797,467 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nc6 | 5,395,557 | 48.5% |
| d6 | 2,961,596 | 50.0% |
| e6 | 2,179,092 | 47.4% |
| d5 | 1,061,148 | 47.0% |
| g6 | 505,377 | 46.9% |
| a6 | 203,835 | 49.2% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack good for White?
It is a playable choice for White, but it is not an automatic edge. The engine gives -0.20, which means Black is a little better, and the game can still stay very close.
What should White aim for after 1.e4 c5 2.f4?
White should develop pieces quickly and keep the position under control. Since the f-pawn has advanced early, it is important to stay coordinated and not fall behind in the centre.
What is Black’s best move in this position?
The engine’s best move is e6. The listed continuation is e6 Nf3 d5 Bb5+, showing that Black usually aims to challenge the centre right away.
Which replies are most common against this opening?
The most-played continuations are Nc6, d6, e6, d5, g6, and a6. Those are the replies you are most likely to meet in practical games, so they are the best ones to drill.
How many games feature the Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack?
Over 13 million Lichess games have reached the Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack position. White wins 48.6%, Black wins 48.2%, with 3.2% draws — based on real rated games.