New idea in the Sicilian GPA (I think)

A new idea in the Grand Prix Attack I came across. It seems the GPA has become popular at the Chess club I go to and I’m looking for some new ideas. I can’t find this is any database I checked.

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bb5 Nd4 6. O-O Nxb5 7. Nxb5 d6

I think d5 is the usual move but I’m looking for an idea based around d6 which I think is more solid.

8. d3 Nf6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Qe1 Bd7!?

This is my idea. Simple development

11. Qh4 Re8

I really don’t see how White can get away with playing f5 here. I had my program Fritz analyze this position and after an hour of analyzing, he assess the position as equal and recommends for White 12. Rb1.

Rb1 doesn’t seem like a move one plays in the GPA as White but maybe I’m wrong. According to Fritz, Black has equalized at this point.

I played this position out with Fritz8 playing White against Chessmaster 9000 playing Black. Even with Fritz8 being the stronger program (in my opinion at least), Chessmaster won with the Black pieces. Maybe I’m on to something here.

Has anyone seen this line played before in a high level tournament? Any ideas on Bd7?

I'm not sure, I only know that MCO deviates from your line by recommending 8. a4 Nf6 9. d3 0-0 10. Qe1 e6.

Originally posted by stepnkev
A new idea in the Grand Prix Attack I came across. It seems the GPA has become popular at the Chess club I go to and I’m looking for some new ideas. I can’t find this is any database I checked.

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bb5 Nd4 6. O-O Nxb5 7. Nxb5 d6

I think d5 is the usual move but I’m looking for an idea based around d6 which I thin ...[text shortened]... here.

Has anyone seen this line played before in a high level tournament? Any ideas on Bd7?

There are few games between 2200's (chesslive.de) that reach ...Bd7 11.Qh4 and it seems a bit complex as white sacs on f5. Black loses a couple but it may be due to inaccurate defense.
But I don't see any with your 11...Re8. I'm not too fond of 11...Re8 because 12.e5 Ng4 13.h3 Nh6 14.g4 and now the threat of 15.f5 theatening to capture the knight is strong. If 14...Qb6 then white has 15.Nd5.


If black tries 11...Re8 12.e5 dxe5 he's in trouble after 13.fxe5 Ng4, 14.Ng5 Nxe5 (if 14...Nh6 then 15.e6 fxe6, 16.Nxh7! Kxh7, 17.Bxh6 Bxh6 18.Rf7ch Kg8 19.Qxh6 Kxf7 20.Rf1ch) 15.Qxh7ch Kf8, 16.Nxf7 Nxf7, 17.Qxg6.

The OP doesn't sound like a chess player despite having joined on 14 Feb '05 and still provisional. Nobody tests an opening between ChessMaster and Fritz 8. There is a lot written on the GPA dig it up.