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 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

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

Stockfish Line

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

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.