Chess Opening Theory/1. g4

Grob's Attack
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/6P1/8/PPPPPP1P/RNBQKBNR b
Moves: 1.g4
ECO code: A00
Parent: Starting position

1. g4? · Grob's Attack

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. Some players argue that as compensation, White takes 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 said bishop. Black can take control of the centre, and barrage the weak pawn with attacks.

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

Statistics

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

Stockfish Line

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

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

Quick Navigation

Na6 a6 a5

b6 b5

Nc6 c6 c5

d6 d5

e6 e5

Nf6 f6 f5

g6 g5

Nh6 h6 h5

References

• 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.