Chess Opening Theory/1. g4

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Grob's Attack
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1.g4
ECO code: A00
Parent: Starting position

1. g4? · Grob's Attack[edit | edit source]

Grob's Attack is generally considered to be one of the worst starting moves, and likely is the single worst starting move, for White. However, if White knows some theory and Black is caught by surprise, this opening can be playable even at relatively high levels. An unprepared player with Black can be led into dangerous territory, especially if they fixate on attacking the g4-pawn early.

With decent play, Black can easily establish a large, or even decisive advantage. White’s move severely compromises their kingside, and overextends the g-pawn. White may argue that as compensation they take kingside space and can fianchetto the king’s bishop, but kingside space is usually completely ignored, and the move does not contribute to development other than the for the bishop. Black can take control of the centre, and come to bear on the weak pawn with relative ease.

There are no big lines in Grob’s Attack. To illustrate this, there is an opening called the Coca-Cola Gambit.

Statistics[edit | edit source]

No stats as 1. g4? occurs extremely rarely among serious chess players.

Stockfish Line[edit | edit source]

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 Bxg4 3. c4 c6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Qb3 e6 7. h3 Bh5 8. Qxb7 Nbd7 9. Nb5 Rc8 10. Nf3 Bc5 11. Qa6 O-O 12. O-O Bb6 13. d4 Nb8 14. Qa4 Rc4 15. Qb3 Nc6 16. Qa3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Rb4 18. a4 a6 19. Bd2 Rxb2 20. Bc1 Rb4 21. Ba3 axb5 22. Bxb4 Nxb4 23. Qc3 Qd6 24. axb5 Ne4 25. Qb2 Bc7 -2.4

Theory table[edit | edit source]

1. g4
1 2 3 4
g4?
d5
Bg2
c6
h3
e5
d4
e4
c4
Bd6
=/+
...
...
...
Bxg4!?
c4
c6
cxd5
cxd5
Qb3 -+
...
e5
d3
d5
Bg2
Nc6
h3
Nge7
-+

All possible Black's moves[edit | edit source]

Quick
Navigation
Na6
a6
a5

b6
b5
Nc6
c6
c5

d6
d5

e6
e5
Nf6
f6
f5

g6
g5
Nh6
h6
h5

References[edit | edit source]

  • Michael Basman (1989). The Killer Grob. Pergamon chess openings. ISBN 0080371310.
  • Claude Bloodgood (2010). The Tactical Grob. Ishi Press. ISBN 487187866X.
  • Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.


For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

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