Win with the Grob Attack

      The Grob Attack, also known as the Spike, is characterized by 1 g2-g4. This opening was pioneered by the Swiss International Master, Henry Grob (1904-1974), who analyzed it extensively. It was also extensively analyzed by the infamous US “master” Claude F. Bloodgood III.
      The Grob Attack is tactical and dangerous. That is, dangerous for both players! I have successfully used it in CC play against players as high as 1900. Against players rated above that it’s just too risky to play but it is an especially good try in blitz. White intends to pressure the long diagonal of light squares while also threatening to launch a Kingside pawn storm.
      I made a pdf booklet on the Grob from the database of Bloodgood’s games and added a short bio which can be downloaded HERE.  I’d advise that before purchasing a more serious work on the opening such as The Killer Grob, you take a look at the pdf booklet.

Bloodgood wrote in the introduction to his book: "Grob's Attack is a basic gambit unlike anything else in modern chess theory. Every basic concept of development and piece placement must be discarded once 1. g4 has been played, and this applies to the player with Black even more than to the player with White. Accepting the gambit pawn in the Grob is accepting immediate problems, but it has been my experience that players facing this for the first time are most likely to do just that."

On rare occasions well-known players like Keres, Basman, and Skembris have used 1.g4!? to good effect. The Grob is a great opening to play for its surprise effect and because of its tactical nature, the tactically better player will often catch unsuspecting opponents.

I'd suggest that if you want to have some fun in blitz games you might want to try the Grob Attack. Here's a quick look at some possibilities:
1. g4 d5

2. Bg2 Bxg4
3. c4
This position occurs very frequently. Black has four main lines of play from this point, each with its own peculiar problems. 3...dxc4? is obviously no answer, so Black not only can't take the second pawn, but must defend his d-pawn even though it cannot be held. The first three lines considered are attempts to hold the center by defending the black d-pawn: 3... c6; 3... Nf6!?; 3... e6. The fourth line, 3... e5!? is an attempt to avoid the problems of defending the d-pawn, but it has not fared well in practice.

1.g4 d5
2.Bg2 c6
This solid defensive line is an attempt by Black to move the game into positional situations rather than meet the tactical possibilities resulting from 2...Bxg4!? White has several playable alternatives: "Double Gambit" 3. c4; "Short Spike' 3. h3; and the "Spike" 3. g5.  I've had good luck with 3.c4 followed by playing Qb3.

The Open Defense
1.g4 d5
2.Bg2 e5
This basic line of play is both sharp and double edged. Black must be prepared for a tactical battle, but one which is by no means one-sided. White can play: 3.e4!? or 3.c4

Other lines after 1... d5
1.g4 d5
2.Bg2 e6
This passive defense is tempting, and the aggressive player may well wish to attempt to break it open quickly, but it is not weak by any means and should be treated with respect.  Black has a number of other playable alternatives which for the most part have not been examined in any detail.

1.g4 d5
2.Bg2 b5
This is the line with the most possibilities. Other moves are also playable. 2...Nc6 3.c4!, 2...c5 3.g5, 2...Nd7 3.d3
3.e4 dxe4 4.Bxe4 c6 5.h3 Nf6 6.Bg2 Be6

1... e5
1.g4 e5 2.Bg2
Several lines not recommended for White here include: 2.c4? h5!, 2.e4? d5! and 2.d4!?

1.g4 e5 2.d3
This move offers White a bit more initiative. The variations after 2.d3 are: 2... h6; 2... h5; 2... Nc6; 2... Be7; 2... Bc5; 2... d6;

1... Various
For all practical purposes, 1... d5 or 1... e5 are the only moves which present White with any immediate problems. This does not mean that White need not be concerned with other possible answers, for virtually any move can develop into a serious test.