Spike Attack
- 1.e4d6
- 2.g4
297 games
The Spike Attack is an offbeat flank reply to the Rat Defense in which White pushes 2. g4 at once, gaining kingside space at the cost of loosening it.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Spike Attack
The Spike Attack, 1. e4 d6 2. g4, meets the Rat Defense with an immediate kingside pawn thrust instead of occupying the center with d4. White gains space and can aim g4-g5 at a knight arriving on f6, but the advance loosens the king's cover. It is seen mainly as a surprise weapon. Engines give Black a slight edge. The most common reply is 2...Nf6, which attacks e4, while 2...e5 and 2...d5 claim the center. Black scores well in practice.