Grob Opening

Main lineA00

1. g4

No pawn stands on d4, e4, d5 or e5 - this line is played with the centre squares empty.

Alessi GambitA00

1. g4 f5

• 1... f5 Challenges the pawn on g4 - it can push to g5 or take on f5. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Alessi Gambit: development and initiative over material.

Double GrobA00

1. g4 g5

• 1... g5 Opens the f8-h6 diagonal for the bishop. Theory calls this the Double Grob.

Double Grob, Coca-Cola GambitA00

1. g4 g5 2. f4

• 2. f4 Challenges the pawn on g5 - it can take on f4. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Coca-Cola Gambit: development and initiative over material.

Grob GambitA00

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2

White's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal.

• 1... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. Bg2 Fianchettoes the bishop onto the long diagonal, pressuring d5 and e4 from a distance. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Grob Gambit. Fair warning: engines rate this gambit as objectively dubious; it is a practical weapon, not a promise of equality.

Grob Gambit DeclinedA00

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 c6

• 2... c6 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Grob Gambit Declined.

London DefenseA00

1. g4 e5 2. h3 Nc6

In the centre, Black holds e5.

• 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. h3 A useful waiting move that keeps the structure flexible on the h-file.
• 2... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the e5 pawn. Theory calls this the London Defense.

Grob Gambit, Basman GambitA00

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 h5 3. gxh5

An early pawn trade leaves the g-file as White's avenue and the h-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.

• 2... h5 Challenges the pawn on g4 - it can push to g5 or take on h5.

Grob Gambit, Fritz GambitA00

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 Bxg4 3. c4

The structure hands White the half-open g-file - rook pressure down it is a standing plan. Black keeps the extra pawn; White plays for time, open lines, and initiative - the classic gambit trade.

• 2... Bxg4 Takes the pawn on g4.

Spike AttackA00

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 c6 3. g5

Spike, Hurst AttackA00

1. g4 e5 2. Bg2 d5 3. c4

Zilbermints GambitA00

1. g4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3

An early pawn trade leaves the d-file as Black's avenue and the e-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.

• 2. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2... dxe4 Takes the pawn on e4, toward the centre and opens the d-file for the queen.

Keene DefenseA00

1. g4 d5 2. h3 e5 3. Bg2 c6

• 2. h3 Takes g4 away from Black's bishop.

Romford CountergambitA00

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 Bxg4 3. c4 d4

Zilbermints Gambit, Schiller DefenseA00

1. g4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 h5

Grob Gambit, Keres GambitA00

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 e5 3. d4 exd4 4. c3

An early pawn trade leaves the d-file as White's avenue and the e-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.

Grob Gambit, Richter-Grob GambitA00

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 c6 3. c4 dxc4 4. b3

An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as White's avenue and the d-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.

Zilbermints Gambit, Zilbermints-Hartlaub GambitA00

1. g4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 e5 4. d3

Grob Gambit, Fritz Gambit, Romford CountergambitA00

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 Bxg4 3. c4 d4 4. Bxb7 Nd7 5. Bxa8 Qxa8

An early pawn trade leaves the b-file as Black's avenue and the g-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it.

Keene Defense, Main LineA00

1. g4 d5 2. h3 e5 3. Bg2 c6 4. d4 e4 5. c4 Bd6 6. Nc3 Ne7