Borg Defense

Grob, back to front

Offbeat

Black answers 1.e4 with 1…g5. After 2.d4 the bishop on g7 gets the long diagonal and presses on d4 and b2, and in return Black gives up a pawn and wrecks its own kingside. To be plain: it is a rarity and is thought to be dubious; White usually just takes the pawn. But hardly anyone prepares for it, so it is played for surprise, especially in quick games.

Interactive Opening Board

4…Qb6

♚

Black

♔

White

4…Qb6

Speed:

Moves

(8 plies • 4 moves)

4…Qb6Tabiya

1–4moves
#WhiteBlack
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Defining move

1…g5!? — the pawn goes out at once

The move that defines the opening and its risk

The g5 pawn clears g7 for the bishop, and after d4 that bishop looks down the whole long diagonal. But it also leaves a hole around the king, and after d2-d4 the pawn itself is attacked by the c1 bishop. Black bets that the pawn is cheap and the diagonal is worth more.

Tabiya

White is a pawn up, Black has the diagonal

White has taken on g5 and is a pawn up. The bishop on g7 and the queen on b6 press on d4 and b2, and …c5 tries to crack the centre open. Black's kingside is thin, so it is not only White's king that has to worry. White needs to finish development calmly and not fall for tricks.

White’s plan

Take the g5 pawn with the bishop and keep the extra material.
Cover d4 and b2 with c3 and finish development calmly.
Get the king to safety and then use Black's weakened kingside.

Black’s plan

Use the long diagonal: …Bg7 and …c5 against d4.
Bring the queen to b6 and press on d4 and b2.
Play sharply and fast: the opening is built for an unprepared opponent.

History

“Borg” is “Grob” spelled backwards: 1…g5 mirrors 1.g4. The opening is linked above all with Michael Basman, who played it often.

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