1 e4 c5, 2 f4

This reply to the Sicilian has been giving me problems. What is the general response?

2..d5 dampens white's central control pretty effectively.
A bishop on g7 helps a lot against the Grand Prix Attack, black often gets good play on the dark squares.
Think carefully about where you want your Kings knight, in many variations it's often better placed on e7 than f6.


Remember - anything other than 2.Nf3 is cowardly and lazy - morally, you have Already Won (results may vary)

2.d4 certainly isn't cowardly.
Lazy... well I suppose in as much as White doesn't want to learn a ton of theory and replay one of a million games to move 25.

i play 2.Nc3 & 3.f4 exclusively, so i count myself amongst those lazy cowards 😉

Fair point about 2.d4

If you want how to deal with 2.f4 as black, take it up as white - you face loads of sicilians as white, but not that many GPAs as black

Originally posted by loaf86
i play 2.Nc3 & 3.f4 exclusively, so i count myself amongst those lazy cowards 😉

Originally posted by loaf86
Remember - anything other than 2.Nf3 is cowardly and lazy - morally, you have Already Won (results may vary)

I personally simply reply with g6, b-g7 and n-f6(if they threaten the knight with e5 in most cases the knight can in fact go to h5 with a good game.)

1 e4 c5 2 f4 is the McDonnell Attack, 2...d5, the Tal Gambit, virtually refutes 2 f4: Black can develop quickly

2... d5 is the reason I switched to 2. Nc3 then 3. f4 as white. Refute that one!