Chessy
Sicilian: Grand Prix Attack — White’s attacking setup
The Sicilian: Grand Prix Attack is a direct way to meet the Sicilian with an aggressive pawn structure and fast piece play. After 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4, you are already aiming for active kingside chances while keeping your options flexible. The main lesson here is simple: know the setup, recognise the most common replies, and be ready for the engine’s best defence. Use the drill below to practise the exact position and test your understanding move by move.
Play the Sicilian: Grand Prix Attack against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position tells you
Stockfish rates this -0.23, a small plus for Black. That means you are not worse, but you do not have an objective edge either. The opening is very playable for White, and the practical results back that up: across 1,469,541 games at this exact position, White wins 50.1%, draws 3.4%, and Black wins 46.5%. In other words, this is a fighting opening where your ideas matter more than memorising long theory.
The engine’s main answer
The engine’s best move here is g6, continuing g6 Nf3 Bg7 Bb5. That tells you what Black wants: steady development and a kingside fianchetto, while meeting your setup without panic. For your drill, the key is to understand that Black is not forced into wild play. You should be ready to develop quickly, keep your position coordinated, and make sure your attacking ideas do not come at the cost of falling behind in development.
What Black plays most often
The most-played continuations from here are e6 (494,874 games, White scores 48.3%), d6 (396,187 games, White scores 51.6%), g6 (278,180 games, White scores 48.1%), e5 (134,168 games, White scores 54.8%), a6 (55,905 games, White scores 49.0%), and Nf6 (44,178 games, White scores 51.9%). This means you should prepare for a variety of pawn structures and piece placements, not just one fixed answer. The drill is useful because it trains you to recognise the position rather than chase memorised move orders.
The moves to watch for
There are two known mistakes in this position: e5 is an inaccuracy, losing about 0.9 pawns, and Nf6 is an inaccuracy, losing about 0.5 pawns. In both cases, g6 was better. If you see either move in your games, you should know that Black has stepped slightly off the best path. That does not mean the game is over, but it does mean the structure and piece placement can become easier for you to handle.
Results across 1,469,541 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e6 | 494,874 | 48.3% |
| d6 | 396,187 | 51.6% |
| g6 | 278,180 | 48.1% |
| e5 | 134,168 | 54.8% |
| a6 | 55,905 | 49.0% |
| Nf6 | 44,178 | 51.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sicilian: Grand Prix Attack good for White?
Yes, it is a very playable attacking system for White. The evaluation here is -0.23, which means Black has a tiny edge, but the position is still basically balanced. You get a lively game without having to learn heavy theory.
What is Black’s best move against this setup?
The engine’s best move is g6. The line continues g6 Nf3 Bg7 Bb5, so Black aims for solid development rather than immediate complications. In the drill, it is important to recognise this as the most accurate reaction.
Which replies happen most often in this position?
The most-played continuations are e6, d6, g6, e5, a6, and Nf6. These choices show that you need to be comfortable facing several different pawn structures and piece setups. The drill helps you practise the position instead of memorising only one reply.
Which black moves should I punish here?
e5 and Nf6 are both listed as inaccuracies. The notes say g6 was better in each case, so those moves are the ones to be alert for. If Black plays them, you should aim to use the slight concession by developing well and keeping your kingside play active.
How many games feature the Sicilian: Grand Prix Attack?
Over 1 million Lichess games have reached the Sicilian: Grand Prix Attack position. White wins 50.1%, Black wins 46.5%, with 3.4% draws — based on real rated games.