Grob: 1.g4 d5 2.Bg2 Bxg4 is variation 6 of 6 in the Against the Bird, Larsen, Polish and Grob course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO A00). It runs 16 moves and begins 1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 Bxg4 3. c4 c6 4. cxd5 cxd5 …. Black takes the g4 pawn and guards d5 with ...c6. When White's queen goes to b3, Black plays ...Nf6 and gives the b7 pawn. Black develops fast and takes the centre with ...e5. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. g4 – The Grob, a dubious opening. White pushes the g-pawn to open the bishop's line to b7.
1... d5 – Black takes the centre and attacks the g4 pawn with the c8 bishop.
2. Bg2 – White puts pressure on d5 and b7.
2... Bxg4 – Black takes the free pawn.
3. c4 – White attacks d5 again.
3... c6 – Black guards d5 and blocks the long diagonal.
4. cxd5 – White takes on d5.
4... cxd5 – Black takes back.
5. Qb3 – White attacks b7 and d5.
5... Nf6 – The best move. Black guards d5 and gives the b7 pawn for quick development.
6. Qxb7 – White takes the pawn, but the queen goes far away.
6... Nbd7 – Black develops and guards the f6 knight.
7. Nc3 – White develops.
7... Rb8 – The rook chases the queen with tempo.
8. Qxa7 – The queen grabs another pawn.
8... e5 – Black takes the whole centre. Black's pieces are much more active.
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