The McDonnell Attack arises after 1.e4 c5 2.f4 (ECO B21). White plays f4 immediately, heading for a big-centre formation and quick play on the kingside.
It is a relative of the Grand Prix Attack: White develops the bishop to c4 or b5 and the knight to f3 and advances the f-pawn. Black replies with the ...d5 break or flank development and counterplay on the queenside.
The McDonnell Attack is an old, direct anti-Sicilian plan that takes the game out of Open Sicilian theory and into more comprehensible attacking play.
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