Flank openings

Grob Opening

1.g4

The Grob Opening starts with 1.g4 and is catalogued under ECO A00, in the flank openings half of the book. The catalog indexes 20 lines inside it, grouped into 20 named variations, and the position after those moves has 2 playable continuations to walk from here.

Opening repertoire map

Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.

Current position
Grob Opening: Zilbermints Gambit
6 plies
Zilbermints Gambit, Schiller Defense
Popularity by Elo
Share of Lichess blitz, rapid, and classical games that continued with each move.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h

Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.g4

    Advances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Prepare a fianchetto or discourage the opponent’s expansion on that wing.

  2. 1…d5

    Advances to d5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  3. 2.e4

    Advances to e4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  4. 2…dxe4

    Captures the pawn on e4 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Open lines in the center and reshape the center for the next phase.

  5. 3.Nc3

    Develops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

2 moves
e5Grob Opening: Zilbermints Gambit1 named line · Grob Opening: Zilbermints Gambit, Zilbermints-Hartlaub GambitAdvances to e5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.h5Grob Opening: Zilbermints Gambit, Schiller Defense1 named lineAdvances the h-pawn to gain kingside edge space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under Grob Opening. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

Openings from the same volume

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Grob Opening.