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Chess Opening Theory/1. g4/1...e5/2. d3

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Grob's Attack
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black knighth8 black rook8
7a7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black pawnd7 black pawne7 black kingf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawn7
6a6 black kingb6 black kingc6 black kingd6 black kinge6 black kingf6 black kingg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black kingb5 black kingc5 black kingd5 black kinge5 black pawnf5 black kingg5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 black kingc4 black kingd4 black kinge4 black kingf4 black kingg4 white pawnh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 black kingd3 white pawne3 black kingf3 black kingg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 white pawnd2 black kinge2 white pawnf2 white pawng2 black kingh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 white bishopd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishopg1 white knighth1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1.g4 e5 2. d3
ECO code: A00

Grob's Attack

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1. g4 e5 2. d3

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d3 aims to open up the queen side bishop to attack Black's kingside, as well as support a future e4 for control of the center as well. It is basically trying to do two things at once, being hyper-modern as well as classic. Due to this as well as a weak kingside due to the advanced g pawn, White is at a disadvantage, being a jack of all trades, but a master of none.

With good play however, White can establish a mimicry of the King's Indian Attack, with the g pawn able to disrupt the king side knight if it ever comes to f6, meaning Black would have to play h6 to secure it, losing a tempo. Some common moves of this caliber for White include Nf3, Bg2, or the eventual e5, as well as the unique move of g5 common in many games of this opening to prevent Black's knight from moving there.

The main continuation for Black is to play d5, opening up the bishop to attack the g4 pawn, leading to g5. There is also the developing move of Nc6, which defends the e5 pawn and controls d4 along with said pawn.

Theory Table

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Name 2 3 4 5 6 Evaluation Notes/Explanation
Grob's Attack d5 Bg2

Nc6

g5

Be6

h4

Qd7

Nc3

O-O-O

=/+ Black has the advantage with developed pieces and being on the queenside instead of the kingside, so more safe from a kingside attack.

Meanwhile, White has only the bishop

Grob's Attack:

King's Indian Variation

... ...

...

h3

Be6

Nf3

Bd6

O-O

Nge7

=/+ Focus on playing a King's Indian Attack, try to solidify their own position.
... ...

Bxg4

c4

c6

cxd5

cxd5

Qb3

Nf6

=/+ Target the b7 square, pressure d5, force Black to be more passive so White can attack weak points