The move 2.d3 is pretty weak in my opinion. The stuff by Basman as mentioned and Bloodgood's pamphlet is good.For blitz games it is worth playing (that is if you are booked up on it). Personally I am very fond of 1.g4 d5 2.Bg2 BxP 3.c4 because it is a "natural" continuation for black and there are many tricks. I do NOT recommend positional players to play this. Beginners might get bad habits if they learn this type of opening early on. You should not have this as the only tool!
The main idea behind the grob (the way I envision it) is to deprive black of developing his knight to f6 also if black tries to take the pawn (now moved to g5) it is well protected.
Preventing NF6 after g5 then later h4 is one aspect. However, the ideas based around the one I gave earlier &, for instance 1.g4?! e5 2.Bg2 d5 3.h3 Nc6 4.c4 dxc4 5.Bxc6+ bxc6 6.Qa4! are the most thematic (if there is such a thing!) in the Grob.
The whole g4/g5/h4 thing to prevent Nf6 when black may play h5 or Ne7 seems even more dubious. Claude Bloodgood & Michael Basman have both written books on the Grob - worth a look.
Enjoyed the game, I like weird openings makes the game off balanced.
KalkiAwaits 2 years ago
The move 2.d3 is pretty weak in my opinion. The stuff by Basman as mentioned and Bloodgood's pamphlet is good.For blitz games it is worth playing (that is if you are booked up on it). Personally I am very fond of 1.g4 d5 2.Bg2 BxP 3.c4 because it is a "natural" continuation for black and there are many tricks. I do NOT recommend positional players to play this. Beginners might get bad habits if they learn this type of opening early on. You should not have this as the only tool!
hyperm0d 3 years ago
Hi. The main idea behind the Grob is 1.g4?! d5 2.Bg2 Bxg4 3.c4 e6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Qb3 with strong attacking pressure.
After 1.g4?! e5 it's again 2.Bg2 Nc6 3.c4 d6 4.h3 etc but in almost any lines an early freeing ...h5 for black is virtually a refutation.
stephencollyer 4 years ago
Hello Stephencoller;
The main idea behind the grob (the way I envision it) is to deprive black of developing his knight to f6 also if black tries to take the pawn (now moved to g5) it is well protected.
I thank you for your comment!
Nulfinator 4 years ago
Preventing NF6 after g5 then later h4 is one aspect. However, the ideas based around the one I gave earlier &, for instance 1.g4?! e5 2.Bg2 d5 3.h3 Nc6 4.c4 dxc4 5.Bxc6+ bxc6 6.Qa4! are the most thematic (if there is such a thing!) in the Grob.
The whole g4/g5/h4 thing to prevent Nf6 when black may play h5 or Ne7 seems even more dubious. Claude Bloodgood & Michael Basman have both written books on the Grob - worth a look.
stephencollyer 4 years ago