3. Anti-Sicilian with 2.Nc3 d6 (Part 1)
Why play the Anti-Sicilian with 2.Nc3?
Imagine preparing the mainline, starting with 3.d4 Open Sicilian. You’d have to prepare against a minimum of 7 lines like the Najdorf, Dragon, Classical, Scheveningen, etc., each with its separate theory.
At the very least, it would take you a few months to prepare and remember those lines! Also, because the theory is sharp, almost anybody with computer skills can cook up a dangerous line with Black and use it against you.
On the other hand, you could save time by preparing sidelines like 2.d4, 2.f4, 2.d3 but forget about fighting for an opening advantage.
That’s why our GMs have offered the Closed Sicilian with 2.Nc3. It's easier to prepare compared to the mainline and you still have more than great chances to fight for an opening advantage.
Against 2...d6, which is Black's 2nd most popular reply, the Grand Prix Attack offers great attacking chances.
Below, you can see some of the positions from the video course.
Many of our students have had excellent results in this line, often crushing stronger players in the opening itself!
Also, our GMs have tested these lines with engines, and the repertoire will serve you well even against titled players.
Let’s jump in!
Additional Resources: This is the 1st Part of the Anti-Sicilian series, Black’s 2…d6 move. Once you finish it, please watch the 2nd Part, which covers 2.Nc3 Nc6.
What you'll learn
- A step-by-step guide to playing the Grand Prix Attack with 3.f4! against 2…d6, covering the key ideas, variations, and improvements.
- How Black can get crushed within the first 25 moves if they don’t know the right way to continue.
- Model games to help you understand this line better.
- How to carry out a swift attack, right from building it with maneuvers to finishing off the game with sacrifices!
Lesson Plan
40 episode(s) 2 hours 35 minStudents give this course an average of 5 out of 5 stars.
Avetik Grigoryan
Erik-Hakobyan ErikHakobyan
David Hakhinyan
Vahe Suqiasyan
Ovi S
Giorgos Kechagias
Kevin M
Md Bashiq Imrose
skipper chess
WIM_Siranush Ghukasyan
Christian Eriksson
Sidharth Sreekumar
Suren Ghazaryan
Satish Nair
Vishnu Warrier
Aida Alvanjyan
siddharth sarma
Jason chen
GM Avetik Grigoryan
After having a successful playing career where he became the Armenian Champion in 2010, GM Avetik Grigoryan found his passion for chess coaching and switched to it full-time.
Since then, he has guided many ambitious players to become Grandmasters and International Masters and has over 10 years of coaching experience.
He believes anyone can improve at chess, with the right mood and proper direction. And with that vision, he founded ChessMood in 2018.
After having a successful playing career where he became the Armenian Champion in 2010, GM Avetik Grigoryan found his passion for chess coaching and switched to it full-time.
Since then, he has guided many ambitious players to become Grandmasters and International Masters and has over 10 years of coaching experience.
He believes anyone can improve at chess, with the right mood and proper direction. And with that vision, he founded ChessMood in 2018.
The Anti-Sicilian with 2.Nc3 is a respectable alternative to the Sicilian Defense. You need to prepare far less here than the mainline while still having excellent chances to fight for an advantage.
In Part 1 of the Anti-Sicilian course, we cover the line that arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6. White has many respectable options here with 3.g3, 3.f4, 3.Bb5+.
We recommend playing the Grand Prix Attack with 3.f4! which leads to some aggressive opening positions.
History of the Sicilian Grand Prix Attack
The opening was employed by GM Hebden Hodgson and FM Rumens in the English Grand Prix tournaments with great results. That’s where the name ‘Grand Prix’ comes from.
However, the first game in the opening, with the move order 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.f4, was played between Soviet players Vasily Panov - Vitaly Chekhover in Moscow, 1936.
White’s idea in the Sicilian Grand Prix Attack
White wants to complete their kingside development and launch a swift attack on the Black king.
White follows up with Nf3, Bc4(or Bb5), 0-0 and d3. Later, they can launch a kingside attack with Qe1-Qh4 and open up their c1-bishop with f5.
Black can get into a difficult position if they don’t know the theory. Even if Black plays the best moves, the resulting position is full of fight with chances for both sides.
Is the Grand Prix Attack sound?
The GrandPrix Attack is a sound and aggressive opening that has been employed by top players like Vishwanathan Anand, Nigel Short and Gwain Jones. It’s a good alternative to use against the Sicilian Defense.
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