Grob Opening · A00

Grob Gambit, Fritz Gambit, Romford Countergambit

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.

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... Bxg4 Takes the pawn on g4.

Sign in to read every move's note and train this line — 6 more moves in this line, 10 in all.