Spike Variation

The Spike Variation meets the Caro-Kann with 2. g4, a flank thrust that claims kingside space and may prepare Bg2 but does nothing to support e4 against the coming ...d5. Black almost always replies 2...d5, striking at the center while the advanced g-pawn remains a target. White can then offer material with the Scorpion-Grob Gambit, 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. d3. Engines favor Black slightly, Black wins more often than White in online games, and the line is rarely seen.