Chess Openings Lab
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Grob Opening: Grob Gambit

The Grob Gambit is 1.g4 d5 2.Bg2, where White leaves g4 hanging to put the bishop on the long diagonal against d5 and b7. Black can take with 2...Bxg4, decline with 2...c6, or play ...Nc6, and the engine favors Black in all lines.

Moves
1.g4 d5 2.Bg2
ECO
A00
Engine
−1.56 · a large advantage for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,280 games in our lichess sample
White scores
57.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 2...Bxg4 play 3.c4 to attack d5 and open the long diagonal toward b7.
  • Qb3 hits b7 and d5 together, as in the main engine line.
  • If Black declines, defend g4 with h3 and develop quickly.
  • Use the long diagonal for the g2 bishop; it is your main asset.

Black

  • 2...Bxg4 grabs the pawn; after 3.c4 c6 keeps d5 solid and blocks the bishop.
  • 2...c6 declines and builds a big center with ...e5.
  • 2...Nc6 develops and meets 3.c4 with ...d4 for space.
  • Don't let White's queen take b7 for free; protect it or get compensation.

Plans and pawn structure

White's idea is fast pressure on the long diagonal and against d5. If Black takes on g4, White plays c4 and Qb3, while Black defends with ...c6 and ...e6 and stays a pawn up. If Black declines, Black builds a big center and attacks the g4 pawn. In every case, Black has a sound center and better development. White's best hope is active pieces and tricks against b7.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −1.56: a large advantage for Black. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −1.56 2...Bxg4 3.c4 c6 4.Qb3 e6 5.Qxb7
  2. −1.24 2...Nc6 3.c4 d4 4.h3 e5 5.d3
  3. −0.94 2...c6 3.h3 e5 4.e4 h5 5.gxh5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,280 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 57.6%.

under 120047.5%
1200–159957.9%
1600–199958.7%
2000 and up58.8%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Grob Gambit, Fritz Gambit2...Bxg4 · 1,156 games
  • Grob Gambit Declined2...c6 · 628 games
  • Grob Gambit, Basman Gambit2...h5 · rare
  • Grob Gambit, Richter-Grob Gambit2...c6 · rare
  • Grob Gambit, Fritz Gambit, Romford Countergambit2...Bxg4 · rare
  • Grob Gambit, Keres Gambit2...e5 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, take with 2...Bxg4 and defend with ...c6 and ...e6, or decline with 2...c6 for a simple center. Avoid allowing Qb3 to win b7 for nothing. Develop and keep d5 strong.

Questions

What are the moves of the Grob Opening: Grob Gambit?

The Grob Opening: Grob Gambit starts 1.g4 d5 2.Bg2. Its ECO code is A00.

Is the Grob Opening: Grob Gambit good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −1.56 at depth 20, which is a large advantage for Black. In 2,280 lichess games from our sample, White scored 57.6%. A dubious gambit that suits White players who like surprises, but Black stays better with simple, solid moves.

What is the main idea of the Grob Opening: Grob Gambit?

White gives the g4 pawn for long-diagonal pressure on d5 and b7. Black can take or decline and gets a good game either way.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Bxg4, with Nc6 and c6 close behind. 2...Bxg4 takes the pawn and leaves White to prove the long-diagonal pressure.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.