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Chess Opening Theory/1. g4

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Grob's Attack
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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

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Grob's Attack is generally considered to be one of the worst starting moves, and is possibly the single worst starting move, for White. However, if White knows enough 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 attempting to win the g4-pawn early.

With decent play from Black and slight inaccuracies by White, Black can establish a relatively large or even decisive advantage. White’s move significantly compromises their kingside's pawn structure, and places the g-pawn on an unusual square that is difficult to defend without giving Black the initiative and compromising the kingside further, as well as making kingside castling severely disadvantageous. Some players argue that, as compensation, White influences more kingside space and can fianchetto the kingside bishop, contributing to influence across the board, as well as discouraging ... Nf6 due to g5 kick. The general plan and idea is similar to the Polish Opening mirrored horizontally. But, kingside space is usually completely ignored since f5, g5, and h5 are rarely played by Black, and Black may just develop the kingside knight to e7, avoiding the kick threat. Also, Black can occupy and take control of the centre, and continually threaten the pawn, gaining initiative.

There are no major lines in Grob’s Attack. Play tends to vary between Grob's Gambit, 1. ... d5 2. h3, e3, g5, or c4, and there are not many officially named lines. As an example for this, one of the most commonly played officially named Grob variations is called the Coca-Cola Gambit.

Statistics

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

Stockfish Line

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Stockfish 17 - 79MB - Depth 22: 1. g4 d5 2. c4 Bxg4 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. cxd5 c6 5. h3 Bh5 6. dxc6 Nxc6 7. Qa4 Rc8 8. Nc3 e5 9. Nf3 Bd6 10. d3 O-O 11. Be3 Bb4 12. O-O Bxc3 13. bxc3 h6 14. Rfe1 b6 15. Rab1 Nd5 16. Bd2 Qd6 17. Qh4 Nf4 18. Bxf4 Bxf3 19. Bd2 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Ne7 21. c4 Ng6 22. Qe4 f5 23. Qd5+ Qxd5+ 24. cxd5 Rc2 25. Red1 Kf7 -0.4

Theory table

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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

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Quick
Navigation 		Na6
a6
a5
b6
b5 		Nc6
c6
c5
d6
d5
e6
e5 		Nf6
f6
f5
g6
g5 		Nh6
h6
h5

References

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  • 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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Wikipedia has related information at Grob's Attack


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Chess openings quick reference
1. e4
1...e5 · Open
2. Nf3
With 2...Nc6:
Four knights: (
)
Italian game: (
)
Spanish game: (
)

With other 2nd moves:
2. Other

1...c5 · Sicilian
2... Nf3 · Open Sicilian
With 2...Nc6:

With 2...d6:

With 2...e6:

With other 2nd moves:
Anti-Sicilians
1... other
Caro-Kann
French
Other


1. d4
1...d5 · Closed
2. c4
2. Nc3
2. other
1...Nf6 · Indian
2. c4
With 2...e6:

With 2...g6:

With other 2nd moves for Black:
2. Nf3
2. other
1... other
Flank
Unorthodox
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