Chess Opening Theory/1. g4/1...e5

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/pppp1ppp/8/4p3/6P1/8/PPPPPP1P/RNBQKBNR w
Moves: 1.g4 e5
ECO code: A00

Grob's Attack

1. g4 e5

This move is interesting not because it is a commonly-played move, nor because it gives an advantage to either player, but because white has not one but two moves that lead to an early black checkmate. 2. f4?? transposes to the Bird Opening's From Gambit, but this matters little because black can easily mate. 2. f3?? leads to the same early demise for white, this time transposing to the Barnes opening. Both these blunders are called Fool's Mate, and tie for the fastest possible checkmate for black.

Although Grob's Attack is itself rarely used among serious players, 2. d3 is a more serious alternative.

Theory table

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

1.g4 e5

	2	3	4
Grob's Attack	d3 d5	Bg2 Nc6	h3 Nge7	=/+
Bird Opening (transposition)	f4?? Qh4#			0-1
Barnes Opening (transposition)	f3?? Qh4#			0-1

References

• Michael Basman (1989). The Killer Grob. Pergamon chess openings. ISBN 0080371310.
• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.