Grob Opening · A00

Grob Gambit, Basman Gambit

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. White's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. g4 Opens the f1-h3 diagonal for the bishop. Theory calls this the Grob Opening.
• 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.
• 2... h5 Challenges the pawn on g4 - it can push to g5 or take on h5.

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