I can't take it anymore! I need a black e4 defen

Keep in mind, if you use the Philidor, you are using a well known 400 year old plus defense, who's philosophies haven't changed much since. The Philidor is a tough nut to crack, but that's about it, I haven't seen black go on an attacking bile with the Philidor, I have seen a lot of draws though, and if you are having trouble with black against e4, then draws might help.

Just because the Sicilian is broad doesn't make it bad. For instance you can specialize. Find one early variation for the case of Nf3 and learn a bit of the closed and anti-sicilian's. For a player who likes wild open games you should love the black side of the Smith Morrah or the Gran Prix.
I found my variation and now am a solid c5 player. I know next to nothing about classical sicilian theory but I don't need to.
I found that most other openings I've played as black against e4 end up with cramped positions which really don't suit me (however somehow I do ok in the King's Indian Defense.) I say keep it open and look for tactics.

Originally posted by lausey

Carr's Defence.

1. e4 h6 😉

That would be a challenge!

Hmm...you want attacking chances with Black but don't seem to have strong hypermodern sensibilities. Why not 1. ... e5 and play the Marshall Attack against the Ruy?

If you cannot play the French Defense then stay away from Dracula i.e. the Latvian Gambit.

Originally posted by paultopia
Ok, I'm throwing it out to the public here. I'll take the defense (other than the french, pbbbttt) that gets the most votes...

What defense should Paul play to e4?

I've tried alekhine's defense, where I get torn to bits by roughly equal players because I can't catch up on development.

I've tried the sicilian, but there's too many traps ...[text shortened]... nt to face the Roy

1. The Petroff
2. The Pirc
3. The Latvian (?!)
4. Something else???

Why not the Scandinavian (Center Counter)? As someone else send in the forum ANY standard opening is good at our level. As black you're going to get your head beat in many times no matter what you play. You just have to reduce the number to a minimum There is no foolproof defenc(s)e to e4, or d4 for that matter. Most of the higher rated players here have databases so you're not going to spring any surprises no matter what you play.

Originally posted by Ouermyhte
EDIT: actually no that wd b 1.a6 that I tend to play, i dnt feel so bad about mashing up my queenside. also u have to give it some respect - tony miles beat karpov with it!

1. e4 e5 is not too much theory, the reason being that many of the systems are all similar and the basic principles of e4 e5 openings are universal.

You have to learn how to play Ruy Lopez, Scotch, Italian, and King's Gambit.

Those are the only four and you only need know about 5 or six moves of each to get a good position.
Most other opening for White are very similar to those
2. d4 is a cousin of the scotch, and actually, the scotch is similar to the Italian...
As for 2. f4, nobody should be scare of it, as long as you play sound opening chess it can do no harm...
The only worry would be the Ruy, as it is a very theoretical line but once again, it is simpler than the sicilian.
The Najdorf and the Sveshnikow are extremely intensely theoretical lines!
e4 e5 is the classic fight for the center, it is guided by general opening principle and is dynamic as it is sound.

Originally posted by druidravi
Well you could try center counter gambit 1.e4 d5 2.e.d5 c6 3.e.c6 nc6
In return for the loss of a pawn you get the initiative.Or you could avoid the loss of a pawn and lose 1 tempo with q.d5. Well you seem to prefer wild open games so gambit should be nice for you

Originally posted by Gambitzoid
1. e4 e5 is not too much theory, the reason being that many of the systems are all similar and the basic principles of e4 e5 openings are universal.

You have to learn how to play Ruy Lopez, Scotch, Italian, and King's Gambit.

Those are the only four and you only need know about 5 or six moves of each to get a good position.
Most other opening for ...[text shortened]... c fight for the center, it is guided by general opening principle and is dynamic as it is sound.

It seems to me Paul, that all your problems rest with 1.e4 I can tell you, as white, I don't play e4, because then I would have to learn the Caros, Ruys, Sicilians, King's Gambits, Frenchs, Center Counter, etc... Too many options for black for my comfort, and way too much theory! There's like hundreds of French's, Sicilian's, Ruy's, etc if you want to play 1.e4.

I know you consider this "twattle", but you should play 1.d4! 😀 Fights for the center and develops a protected pawn, and basicly all you must learn are Indians, QGD's, QGA's and maybe a bit of Benomi theory. None of these are monsterously complicated or annoying, like a Ruy, French, Sicilian or Caro, in which each has like 100 variations and can become a huge tactical maze.

Here's a good one

1.e4, Resigns

lol, i think Fischer tried it once, its easy to learn but not 2 good for your rating😲

I play Sicilian. I think I use the Najdorf variation, but I am not sure. However, you don't want Sicilian.

I also like Philidor's defense. I admire the Pirc, but I don't know it. I don't like the Petroff, because 'supposedly' it's drawish, and because it just bugs me for some reason.

The Philidor is 'just weak',eh?Could you please explain,what is wrong with it?

Well it does lock in the King's Bishop and gives Black a cramped game.

...most other openings I've played as black against e4 end up with cramped positions which really don't suit me (however somehow I do ok in the King's Indian Defense.)

King's Indian is played in response to 1. d4. Are you trying to say you play it against 1. e4 somehow?

Originally posted by mateulose
I know you consider this "twattle", [cut] None of these are monsterously complicated or annoying, like a Ruy, French, Sicilian or Caro, in which each has like 100 variations and can become a huge tactical maze.