The Grob

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15th January 2009, 12:05am
#1
by einstein2191
Bay Area, California United States
Member Since: Sep 2008
Member Points: 506

I have recently taken a liking to the Grob opening, 1. g4, and I want to know if anyone has any tips or strategies that they would like to share for either black or white.  Smile

15th January 2009, 02:29am
#2
by Gonnosuke
Southern California Germany
Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 2535

After many Grob tournament games I think I've finally reached the point where I don't feel completely lost when playing white.  Oddly enough, the most comfortable method I've found is to play the Grob Gambit, sacrificing the g-pawn in exchange for a better grip on the center, annoying queenside pressure and a sharper-than-normal game.  (Another thing I really like about the gambit line is that it seems to prevent black from getting "settled" early on since the center is still very much up for grabs.)

Here's an example:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As black, I almost always opt for an early h5, taking on the g-pawn and aiming for an early Rook-lift (gxh5 Rxh5) in order to attack the undefended bishop on g2 before white has a chance to castle.  It's fairly common for white to surrender castling rights in order to save the bishop, especially if you can develop the Queen to g5 or f6 and coordinate with the lifted Rook.   Sharp, tactical game ensues.

Example, attacking the Grob:

15th January 2009, 02:40am
#3
by Bananat
United States
Member Since: Sep 2008
Member Points: 23

I also enjoy using the grob,  I often have trouble with (3... c6).  Anyone have an indepth ways to approach it?

15th January 2009, 02:44am
#4
by boogaloo
Baltimore United States
Member Since: Oct 2007
Member Points: 661

There is a chessbase file for free at chessville.com that covers the book 'Tactical  Grob'.  It has many attacking lines in it.  I use the Grob frequently in blitz games and score fairly well with it.  Mainly from the lines in the book.  If you search the forums there was a previous post about the Grob giving the link to this file.  Unfortunately I cannot post the link at this time.  Maybe when I get to work.

Boog

15th January 2009, 02:54am
#5
by Gonnosuke
Southern California Germany
Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 2535

...said  "I also enjoy using the grob,  I often have trouble with (3... c6).  Anyone have an indepth ways to approach it?"

Finding some way to work in c4 is usually key for white.  Here's one possibility:

15th January 2009, 03:30am
#6
by Bananat
United States
Member Since: Sep 2008
Member Points: 23

I couldnt' seem to find the grab on the site you posted.  I'll keep looking.

15th January 2009, 05:07am
#7
by billwall
Palm Bay, FL United States
Member Since: May 2007
Member Points: 2514

I put 421 Grobs on my home page at http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lab/7378/grob.htm

I wrote a book on it a few years ago.  I may need to update my file.

15th January 2009, 05:27am
#8
by RetGuvvie98
Manassas, VA United States
Member Since: Sep 2007
Member Points: 3563

bill, I'm working on putting mine into chessbase so I can send them to you, I hadn't forgotten, but had put that on the back burner.

15th January 2009, 10:49am
#9
by Gonnosuke
Southern California Germany
Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 2535
Bananat wrote:

I couldnt' seem to find the grab on the site you posted.  I'll keep looking.


Here's a link to the Tactical Grob book (or db?) by the infamous Claude Bloodgood.

 

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