Key ideas
- After 1...d5 2.Bg2 (the Grob Gambit) White offers the g4 pawn. If Black takes with 2...Bxg4, 3.c4 (the Fritz Gambit) hits d5 and opens the long diagonal toward b7.
- The Romford Countergambit (3...d4 4.Bxb7 Nd7 5.Bxa8 Qxa8) gives up a rook for the bishop so that Black's queen takes over the long diagonal, aiming at h1 and the weakened kingside.
- Solid replies take the sting out of the opening. 2...c6 (the Grob Gambit Declined) blunts the bishop, and ...e5 builds a big centre while ...h5 can attack the g4 pawn.
Plans for White
Use the g2 bishop and c4 against b7 and d5, support the g-pawn with h3, and avoid further kingside weaknesses such as an early f3 or f4.
Plans for Black
Take the centre with ...d5 and ...e5, blunt the bishop with ...c6, and attack the g4 pawn with ...h5 when it helps to open lines toward White's king.
Watch out
The e1-h4 diagonal is already weak. After 1.g4 e5, the careless 2.f3?? allows 2...Qh4#, the Fool's Mate.