Does anyone know a good system against the grand prix attack?

Time and time again, I encountered this variation. And time and time again, I was defeated. I attempted to create my own system against the Gp attack. It failed. So my question to you is: Is there at least a main line in the GP, and, if so, can you take the time to put it on a diagram? Thanks. And one more thing, is there a system you like to use against the Gp?

The Tal gambit:  1. e4 c5 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 Nf6

Black gambits a pawn for an open position and quick development. Black will often play e6 soon. Here is a game Kasparov won in this line:

Thanks, Loomis!

Unless white is winging it, he'll play Nc3 on move two and only then f4.

you'll often find white playing 2. Nc3 and 3. f4. If you have difficulties surviving with the normal setup with g6 Bg7 and Nc6 etc, i can suggest 2 other options. 

1: play for a quick d5 with 2. e6. The drawback is that white might play 3. Nf3 for an open sicilian, and then you have to play the e6 sicilian.

2: this is a more extreme approach, but if you are sure your opponent will play the grand prix, go with 2. a6. Then he will either have to play the grand prix with Bc4 which isn't as dangerous, or he can play the closed sicilian a tempo up (which isn't the end of the world)

Either choice has it's drawback, i personally play for the quick d5, and risk having to play the e6 sicilian. Hope this helps you

I don't know what you mean by "winging it". 1. e4 c5 2. f4 is the mainline Grand Prix. It may be because of the Tal gambit that many players opt for a delayed move order with 2. Nc3 and 3. f4. In that case, black's choice on move 2 depends on what kind of Sicilian he plans on playing against the Open, since white can still play 3. Nf3 and 4. d4.

Since I play the Accelerated Dragon, I wind up with games like this: 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bb5 Nd4 etc.

But if you play something else, you might not be happy after 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 ??? 4. d4

If you don't like gambits like the one above, I'd recommend playing with d6, g6, bg7,e6 (optional, but the idea is to discourage f5, 0-0 and try for some plans involving b5/and or d5. Some people prefer e6 Be7 instead of g6 Bg7 in order to render f5 harmless, but imo if black plays well, the bishop is usually strong enough on g7 to compensate for the allowance of f5. Here is a link to Carlsen explaining a game he won in an opening with many similarities to the GPA (the only differences is 1.a delayed f4, 2. white played g3 Bg2 as well, as opposed to the more common Bc4): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psSzAnTG3-U

Nowadays Bb5 is more popular:

@flier: It's unclear to me why the Bd7 is worse than Bc8. It protects the N, supports a potential b5 advance, allows a rook to come to c8 potentially, and gives black one less move to "connect his rooks" which is always useful.

Also, in the position you gave, 9...e6 seems to stop your plan; something like Nh4 fails to Nd4 and b5 immediately, and so f5 doesn't seem to easy to achieve. meanwhile, black can prepare a6-b5

Hmm i tried to give some instance of what you suggested, i think white has a decent position. Sometimes also e5 is a nice option instead of f5

I agree with Loomis: the Tal Gambit is the way to go.  According to Silman and others, Black's best reply is 2...d5 3.exd5 Nf6!  The modern main line runs 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7. Here White can play the positional 5.Bb5, threatening to double Black's pawns with Bxc6, or the more aggressive 5.Bc4, aiming for a kingside attack. A less common option is 2... e6.

wikipedia gets a lot of the credit on this one.

Usually a k-side fianchetto works best against the gp - 2.Nc3 Nc6; 3.f4 g6 is the line I tend to use, though after 2. Nc6, you need to be prepared to play an open sicilian (not a problem for me as I play the Taimanov).

Other potential systems include: 2.Nc3 Nc6; 3.f4 e6; 4.Nf3 d5 followed by Bd6, Nbd7 and o-o.

Like everyone else, against 2.f4, the Tal gambit works very well in practice.

The GPA is a real pain in the neck.

I get it against the Modern, I play a hedgehog against it really cheeses them off.

PS white can avoid the Tal Gambit by switching move orders.

I think you hold back f4 a move and play Nc3 ?? first to stop d5 is that the trick cant remember off hand.

Kaiboshes the Tal anyway, I agree Bb5 is better for white though, but Bc4 is still dangerous you play e6 against that and dont castle too soon, b6 is OK for black as well after e6.

Does this all make sense ??

(1) You can respond with  2....a6 on your second move in response to 2.f4 . Then immediately continue with b5and Bb7 attacking e4 (the point of this line).This is not a speculative line - it is played at the highest levels of chess.

(2) If your player is an expert GPA player then respond with 2....a6 on your second move in response to 2.Nc3 . Then immediately continue with b5and Bb7 attacking e4 (the point of this line) if he enters the GPA .Note however he may transpose to other non-GPA lines...

(3)The main line to 2.f4 is 2.d5 followed by Nf6....this is recommended but may not appeal to all players as you play a pawn down

(4) Generally play a fianchetto (g6) and e6 and a Nge7 to protect the f5 square. Knights on c6 should be lodged into d4. Black can gain more space.

The Mamedyarov Defense. Because Mamedyarov dominated the Grand Prix this time!