ECO code: B21
Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack
The McDonnell Attack arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. f4. This opening is an aggressive and somewhat unorthodox attempt by White to challenge Black’s control of the center immediately.
Characteristic: The move 2. f4 is a bold pawn push aiming to support the central e4-pawn and prepare for a kingside attack. It resembles ideas from the King's Gambit, but against the Sicilian setup, it seeks to undermine Black’s typical counterplay on the d4-square and the c-file.
Attacking or Defensive: From White’s perspective, the McDonnell Attack is decidedly attacking. White aims to seize space and initiate early aggression. Black’s position remains flexible but must be cautious to counter White’s central and kingside intentions.
Center Control: Yes, this opening directly contests the center. By supporting the e4-pawn with f4, White tries to maintain a strong foothold in the center and prepare for further central or kingside expansion.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 173 - Move #5 white