Grob Opening: Grob Gambit, Fritz Gambit
The Fritz Gambit is 2...Bxg4 3.c4 in the Grob, where White attacks d5 to open the long diagonal against b7. Black defends with 3...c6 or returns material for activity, while White hopes the queen and bishop can win b7 and regain the pawn.
- Moves
- 1.g4 d5 2.Bg2 Bxg4 3.c4
- ECO
- A00
- Engine
- −1.40 · a clear edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,156 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 60.1%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Qb3 hits b7 and d5, as in the top engine line; grab b7 if it is safe.
- Trade on d5 with cxd5 to open lines and make d5 a target.
- Develop the knights to c3 and f3 to support the queenside play.
- h3 kicks the g4 bishop and gains a tempo.
Black
- 3...c6 holds d5 and blocks the long diagonal. Then ...e6 and ...Nd7 develop.
- 3...Nf6 gives back the pawn for quick development after 4.cxd5 c6.
- 3...d4 is the Romford Countergambit, giving b7 for development and an open b-file.
- Keep the light bishop active; it is a big piece after Bxg4.
Plans and pawn structure
White wants the long diagonal and the b7 pawn. Black can hold with ...c6 and ...e6, accept that b7 may fall, and develop with ...Nd7 and ...Ne7. Black is still better in the main lines because the center and development are good. In the ...d4 line, Black gives b7 for an open b-file and a strong d4 pawn. White must avoid losing time with the queen.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −1.40: a clear edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:
- −1.40 3...c6 4.Qb3 e6 5.Qxb7 Nd7 6.Nc3
- −1.20 3...Nf6 4.cxd5 c6 5.dxc6 Nxc6 6.h3
- −0.86 3...d4 4.Bxb7 Nd7 5.Nf3 Rb8 6.h3
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,156 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 60.1%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Grob Gambit, Fritz Gambit, Romford Countergambit3...d4 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, play 3...c6 and develop with ...e6 and ...Nd7. Don't panic if b7 falls; your center and development make up for it. Avoid moves that leave d5 undefended.
Questions
What are the moves of the Grob Opening: Grob Gambit, Fritz Gambit?
The Grob Opening: Grob Gambit, Fritz Gambit starts 1.g4 d5 2.Bg2 Bxg4 3.c4. Its ECO code is A00.
Is the Grob Opening: Grob Gambit, Fritz Gambit good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −1.40 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for Black. In 1,156 lichess games from our sample, White scored 60.1%. A risky gambit for White players who enjoy tricks, while Black stays better with calm development.
What is the main idea of the Grob Opening: Grob Gambit, Fritz Gambit?
White sacrifices the g4 pawn and hits d5 with c4 to open the long diagonal. Black defends with ...c6 and develops, keeping an edge.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is c6, with Nf6 and d4 close behind. 3...c6 holds d5 and blocks the long diagonal before Qb3 arrives.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.