ECO A00 · Grob Opening

Grob Opening: Zilbermints Gambit, Zilbermints-Hartlaub Gambit

1. g4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 e5 4. d3

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4… Bb4−1.39

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Grob Opening: Zilbermints Gambit, Zilbermints-Hartlaub Gambit (A00), reached after 1. g4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 e5 4. d3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Bb4 for Black. Black is clearly better (−1.39).

Top engine moves

  1. −1.394… Bb4 5. Bd2 Nc6 6. Nxe4 Bxd2+ 7. Nxd2 Qd5 8. Qf3 Qxf3 9. Ngxf3
  2. −1.394… exd3 5. Bxd3 Nc6 6. Qe2 Be6 7. h3 h5 8. gxh5 Qh4 9. Nf3
  3. −1.224… h5 5. gxh5 exd3 6. Bxd3 Nc6 7. h4 Nb4 8. Qe2 Nxd3+ 9. cxd3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Grob Opening: Zilbermints Gambit, Zilbermints-Hartlaub Gambit?
After 1. g4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 e5 4. d3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Bb4 for Black, continuing 5. Bd2 Nc6 6. Nxe4 Bxd2+ 7. Nxd2 Qd5 8. Qf3 Qxf3 9. Ngxf3. Black is clearly better (−1.39). The next best moves are 4… exd3 (−1.39) and 4… h5 (−1.22).
Is the Grob Opening: Zilbermints Gambit, Zilbermints-Hartlaub Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −1.39: black is clearly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Grob Opening: Zilbermints Gambit, Zilbermints-Hartlaub Gambit?
A00. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).