Grob Gambit, Fritz Gambit

The Fritz Gambit arises when White, having already given up the g-pawn in the Grob Gambit, follows 1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 Bxg4 with 3. c4 rather than the steadier 3. c3. The move attacks d5 and tries to dislodge Black's central pawn so that the bishop on g2 gains full scope along the long diagonal. If Black captures with 3...dxc4, the diagonal opens and 4. Bxb7 regains a pawn while eyeing the rook on a8.

Black therefore usually keeps d5 in place. The most common reply is 3...c6, and 3...e6 and 3...Be6 serve the same purpose. The rare 3...d4 is the Romford Countergambit, in which Black allows 4. Bxb7 Nd7 5. Bxa8 Qxa8, giving up the exchange to plant the queen on the long diagonal, where it bears down on the rook on h1. The engine regards Black as clearly better after 3. c4, yet White scores well in practice, since the resulting positions are tactical and easy for Black to mishandle.