Grob Opening: Grob Gambit Declined
The Grob Gambit Declined is 1.g4 d5 2.Bg2 c6, where Black protects d5 and refuses the g4 pawn. Black aims for a big center with ...e5, while White has to justify the early g4 push and keep the pawn defended.
- Moves
- 1.g4 d5 2.Bg2 c6
- ECO
- A00
- Engine
- −0.97 · a clear edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 628 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 49.0%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play h3 to defend g4, as in the second engine line, or push 3.g5 to gain space.
- Develop with Nc3 and d3 and keep the center solid.
- Look for c4 to hit d5 and open the long diagonal for the g2 bishop.
- Don't advance too many kingside pawns; your king may need shelter there.
Black
- Play ...e5 next to build a big center with d5 and e5.
- Use ...h5 or ...h6 to attack the g4 or g5 pawn and open the h-file.
- Develop with ...Ne7 and ...Ng6, as in the engine lines, to hit the h4 and f4 squares.
- ...Qb6 can hit b2 when White's dark bishop leaves c1.
Plans and pawn structure
Black has a solid center with c6 and d5 and will add ...e5. White's g4 pawn is a target, and Black uses ...h5 or ...h6 to open lines. White wants to defend with h3, develop and break with c4. If White falls behind in development, Black's center and open lines give a lasting edge. The engine rates Black clearly better here.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.97: a clear edge for Black. Its three top choices for White:
- −0.97 3.g5 h6 4.d4 hxg5 5.Bxg5 Qb6
- −0.98 3.h3 e5 4.Nc3 Ne7 5.d3 Ng6
- −1.21 3.e3 e5 4.d3 Bd6 5.h3 Ne7
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
628 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.0%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Spike Attack3.g5 · rare
- Grob Gambit, Richter-Grob Gambit3.c4 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, play ...e5 and develop with ...Ne7 and ...Ng6. Hit the g4 pawn with ...h5 when it helps. As White, keep g4 defended with h3 and play c4 to challenge d5.
Questions
What are the moves of the Grob Opening: Grob Gambit Declined?
The Grob Opening: Grob Gambit Declined starts 1.g4 d5 2.Bg2 c6. Its ECO code is A00.
Is the Grob Opening: Grob Gambit Declined good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.97 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for Black. In 628 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.0%. A solid way for Black to meet the Grob, giving a lasting edge with simple development.
What is the main idea of the Grob Opening: Grob Gambit Declined?
Black refuses the g4 pawn and builds a big center with ...c6, ...d5 and ...e5. White must defend g4 and find counterplay with c4.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is g5, with h3 and e3 close behind. 3.g5 gains space and prepares to meet ...h6 with a central push.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.