Exploring the Grob Opening, the world’s strangest chess opening

This unconventional path, rejected by purists and loved by eccentrics, has origins dating back to the nineteenth century but found its true advocate in Henri Grob, who devoted most of his chess life to analyzing and spreading its unique perspectives

The infamous Grob Opening starts with the opening move of 1.g4. (Photo courtesy: Lichess)

EDITOR’s NOTE: Chess 101 is a series on helping strengthen chess fundamentals with breakdowns from Shivika Rohilla, a Woman FIDE Master based in New Delhi, who is also the founder of the Shivika Rohilla Chess Academy (SRCA).

Among the many curious footnotes in chess opening theory, few moves provoke as much skepticism or fascination as 1.g4, the infamous Grob Opening. This unconventional path, rejected by purists and loved by eccentrics, has origins dating back to the nineteenth century but found its true advocate in Henri Grob, who devoted most of his chess life to analyzing and spreading its unique perspectives. Despite its reputation for instability, the Grob has refused to die. In the present digital age, it has gained a new audience among online blitz players, content creators, and tactical thrill-seekers who prefer chaos to convention. Whether seen as a jest or a burst of creative energy, the Grob serves as a reminder that chess, even from the first move, can be unpredictable.

A fantastic correspondence game between Henri Grob and Lenherr in 1966, illustrating his 1.g4 Grob Opening, is one of the few well-documented occurrences. It demonstrates the aggressive nature of the opening and how it attacks the d5 square early on. The subsequent position came after 1. g4 d5. 2. Bg2 e5 3. c4 c6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Qb3 Qc7 6. Nc3 d4 7. Nd5 Qd7 8. d3 Nc6 9. Bd2 b6 10. Rc1

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A correspondence game between Henri Grob and Lenherr in 1966.

Hikaru Nakamura frequently surprises his opponents on Titled Tuesday with the opening. An example of his game vs Vladimir Kramnik in July 2024 from a Titled Tuesday game can be seen here. After 7 moves, the following position was accomplished using a similar strategy to Henry Grob’s.

Hikaru Nakamura using the Grob in a game vs Vladimir Kramnik in July 2024 in Titled Tuesday.

While the Grob may never claim a place in classical mainlines, its rich history, bold spirit, and surprising modern revival prove that sometimes the most unconventional paths lead to the most memorable battles on the board.

Want to improve your chess basics? Or are you looking for an unconventional way to catch your opponent off-guard from the opening? Read all the articles from the Chess 101 series about chess openings here

Shivika Rohilla

Shivika Rohilla is a Woman FIDE Master based in New Delhi. At just 17, she founded the Shivika Rohilla Chess Academy (SRCA), which she runs alongside her mother, Dr Nidhi Bhasin Rohilla, and national instructor Yogender Sharma. Passionate about both chess and education, Shivika recently passed Class XII with an impressive 95%, scoring a perfect 100 in English. And right on the heels of that, she scored her second Women International Master norm, raising hope that Delhi could get its second WIM after decades-long wait. The 18-year-old firmly believes that excellence in chess and academics can go hand in hand—and is living proof that it’s possible to pursue both with dedication and discipline. Through SRCA, she is also working to promote chess among girls and young women. ... Read More