Spike Attack

The Spike Attack arises when Black declines the Grob Gambit with 2...c6, which shores up d5 in a Caro-Kann-like manner, and White answers by advancing the threatened g-pawn again with 3. g5. The push takes the pawn off the c8-bishop's diagonal, so ...Bxg4 is no longer possible. It also removes f6 from Black's king knight, which must look for another route into play. The drawback is that the g5-pawn stands even further from support, the dark squares behind it grow weaker, and White has spent another tempo on a flank pawn instead of development. The engine rates the position as slightly better for Black.

The most frequent reply is 3...e5, building a broad center that leaves the g2-bishop staring at a well-protected d5. 3...Bf5 develops the bishop outside the pawn chain before ...e6. The direct 3...h6, striking at the spearhead at once, is the engine's top choice and has produced Black's best practical results, while 3...Na6 is another engine-approved option. Across all games from the position, White and Black score roughly evenly in online play.