Is g4 even a real opening?

What opening is this.

What opening is this.

take a look here and put a g in the search field.
https://lichess.org/opening

@noahistheworst said [^](/forum/redirect/post/YIgzyWjs) > What opening is this. take a look here and put a g in the search field. https://lichess.org/opening

tpr

1 g4? is called the Grob opening. Henry Grob, Claude Bloodgood and Michael Basman played it, but it should lose.

Gautham_A

It psychologically makes your opponent lose all pieces, even their king! Play this to get a free win, look I even have evidence!

https://lichess.org/6tX7lzWz/white

It psychologically makes your opponent lose all pieces, even their king! Play this to get a free win, look I even have evidence! https://lichess.org/6tX7lzWz/white

tpr

Here is a real game

https://lichess.org/9qWOVKzC#1

Here is a real game https://lichess.org/9qWOVKzC#1

kindaspongey

"... as for [1 g4], there is one line worth knowing:
1 g4? d5 2 Bg2
White can save the g-pawn in various ways at a further cost in time, but normally White goes for a tactical sequence that should end horribly for him. Objectively, White is in trouble either way, ..." - Practical Chess Openings (2025) by GM Martyn Kravtsiv

"... as for [1 g4], there is one line worth knowing: 1 g4? d5 2 Bg2 White can save the g-pawn in various ways at a further cost in time, but normally White goes for a tactical sequence that should end horribly for him. Objectively, White is in trouble either way, ..." - Practical Chess Openings (2025) by GM Martyn Kravtsiv

Vivian_ninja

edited

g4 is the best! its so good that engine lies to you to prevent you from breaking chess. just play g4 and if your plays e5, you can just play f4 and the game ends almost instantly!

Hagredion edited

It is a real opening but only if you follow it with h4 on the second move

petri999

objectively is a bad opening in practice amongst weaker part of population it just as good as other. But I would say that player using it should very familiar with it in order score well.

There are master level players who use it so it is fine assuming you are willing to invest on learning it.

objectively is a bad opening in practice amongst weaker part of population it just as good as other. But I would say that player using it should very familiar with it in order score well. There are master level players who use it so it is fine assuming you are willing to invest on learning it.

shadow1414

#9: A) 'in practice amongst weaker part of population it just as good as other.' ~ Every strategy in every game is good on a low, casual, or low and casual level.

B) 'player using it should very familiar with it in order score well.' ~ That is true for every opening. If one aims to reach a higher level, then they should start with a good opening in the first place. Otherwise, when they need to quit the Grob in order to win, they will have wasted resources into learning an opening that they no longer play.

C) 'There are master level players who use it' ~ That does not mean that it is good; it just means that they play it. Why might they play it? They like it, they lost a bet, they want to put themselves at a disadvantage...

#9: A) 'in practice amongst weaker part of population it just as good as other.' ~ Every strategy in every game is good on a low, casual, or low and casual level. B) 'player using it should very familiar with it in order score well.' ~ That is true for every opening. If one aims to reach a higher level, then they should start with a good opening in the first place. Otherwise, when they need to quit the Grob in order to win, they will have wasted resources into learning an opening that they no longer play. C) 'There are master level players who use it' ~ That does not mean that it is good; it just means that they play it. Why might they play it? They like it, they lost a bet, they want to put themselves at a disadvantage...

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