Openings Rare first moves
Grob Opening (1.g4): Grob Gambit, Traps and Stats by Rating
1.g4 attacks nothing and loosens White’s kingside, but it opens the g2 diagonal toward d5 and b7 at once. It is a favorite of blitz players who want unusual positions from move one.
A00Grob Opening
Games from this position (1600–1999): 20k
- 1.
| Move | Played | Games | White · Draw · Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42% | 8,241 | ||
| 21% | 4,121 | ||
| 7% | 1,369 | ||
| 7% | 1,282 | ||
| 5% | 965 | ||
| 5% | 905 | ||
| 4% | 840 | ||
| 3% | 531 | ||
| 2% | 411 | ||
| 1% | 259 | ||
| 1% | 233 | ||
| 0.6% | 108 |
Plans for both sides
White
- Against 1...d5, 2.Bg2 attacks d5; after 2...Bxg4 3.c4 the pressure on the long diagonal is worth the pawn.
- Against 1...e5, Bg2, d3 and h3 keep the g-pawn safe; never play f3 or f4 while ...Qh4 is possible.
- Qb3 often joins the attack on b7.
Black
- Take the center with 1...d5 or 1...e5 and develop quickly.
- After 1...d5 2.Bg2, 2...c6 is the safe answer: it holds d5 and blunts the g2 bishop.
- Look for ...Qh4 and ...h5: the g4 pawn and f2 are White’s weak points.
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Grob Opening (1.g4) at each rating
How often the position after 1.g4 comes up in rated Lichess games, how it scores and what players answer next.
| Rating | Games (Share of games) | White · Draw · Black | Top next move |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1200 | 9,7790.3% | 1...e542% | |
| 1200–1599 | 18k0.3% | 1...e534% | |
| 1600–1999 | 20k0.3% | 1...d542% | |
| 2000+ | 3,7320.2% | 1...d549% | |
| All | 51k0.3% | 1...d536% |
What usually comes next
The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.
Main variations
White gives the g-pawn and hits d5 and b7; Black holds with ...c6 and has to watch Qb3.
1,917 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 56%, 4% were drawn, Black won 40%.
Show on the board: 1.g4 d5 2.Bg2 Bxg4 3.c4 c6Black keeps the pawn on d5 and closes the diagonal; White plays h3 or g5.
3,162 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 48%, 4% were drawn, Black won 48%.
Show on the board: 1.g4 d5 2.Bg2 c6White pushes again instead of defending g4; Black takes the center with 2...e5 in about half the games.
3,316 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 48%, 3% were drawn, Black won 49%.
Show on the board: 1.g4 d5 2.g5Black builds the full center; White hits it with c4 or d3 and keeps an eye on h4.
6,266 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 53%, 3% were drawn, Black won 44%.
Show on the board: 1.g4 e5 2.Bg2 d5
Common traps
1...e5 2.f4?? Qh4#
The fastest possible mate against White: after 1.g4 e5 2.f4?? the e1–h4 diagonal is wide open and 2...Qh4 is mate. With the g-pawn gone, the f-pawn must stay home.
Fewer than 6 games in our data reached the end of this line.
Show on the board: 1.g4 e5 2.f4 Qh4#(ends in mate)Advertisement
At club level
Below 1200 White scores only about 46% with 1.g4; at 2000+ about 51%. After the Grob Gambit 1...d5 2.Bg2 Bxg4 3.c4, White scores about 59%, so taking the pawn is risky. At 2000+ about three in ten answer 2.Bg2 with the safe 2...c6.
Practice it
The trainer answers with the replies people at your rating choose, in the same proportions, and brings back your mistakes on a schedule.