The White openings got some pretty good responses, so let's hear about what you like to use as black against 1.e4, 1.d4, 1.c4, and/or 1.Nf3.
I especially need help with deciding on something against 1.d4...because I just can't find something that I like and isn't loaded with theory.
Originally posted by Diet Coke1.Nf3 e5?! - try dying of boredom then. 😛
e4.
My two main response are the french and the Dragon.
Others are the caro-kann, the alekhine and the latvian gambit.
d4
KID
The Dutch sucks but I like the Nimzo (e6) cos sometimes the play e4 allowing d5.
With Nf3 I usually play Nf6 and die of boredom.
Against c4 I go beserk and mess it up completely.
How the hell do you play so many openings as black against 1.e4?!
Originally posted by Diet CokeI know from experience that there's too much dragon theory to have that many openings though, do you just play the dragon without book moves?!
I've got soo many games, that's how.
I've played a lot of chess so I can have two main variations, plus I get bored easily so I'm always trying something new.
Originally posted by cmsMasterI kind of stumbled across the dragon while learning chess on my own and it's always stuck with me.
I know from experience that there's too much dragon theory to have that many openings though, do you just play the dragon without book moves?!
Nowadays I use a database in the opening.
But I've never read a book on an opening.
1 edit
Originally posted by cmsMasteravoiding theory...
The White openings got some pretty good responses, so let's hear about what you like to use as black against 1.e4, 1.d4, 1.c4, and/or 1.Nf3.
I especially need help with deciding on something against 1.d4...because I just can't find something that I like and isn't loaded with theory.
hmm
can't help you there...
but I will say this:
1. d4 c6 is my response...
white is technically best after 2. e4
and that gives me a Caro-Kann as black and leaves the 1. d4 theory the white player has surely studied the bejeezus out of
some people go on ahead and play 2. c4 and that turns things into a Slav
which is not bad at all...
that answers the second part to your question: Caro-Kann
i like the solid pawn structures that result, and being a semi-closed position, I can develop at a leisurely pace and watch my opponent try in vain to crack my defence, but it usually just results in white exchanging off everything before he realizes that my pawn structure is awesome, and the endgames are usually won for me...
1. c4
honestly, i don't see this one much, but if/when I do, i would go on ahead and play 1. ... c6
it looks solid enough...
i have yet to come across a first move for white where playing 1. ... (or 2. ... or 3. ...) c6 is bad
Originally posted by rubberjaw30aside from the knight missing its home on c6, which isn't a problem in most games i play, as the knight goes to d7 anyway, i believe that the c7 pawn was designed with the c6 square in mind...
avoiding theory...
hmm
can't help you there...
but I will say this:
1. d4 c6 is my response...
white is technically best after 2. e4
and that gives me a Caro-Kann as black and leaves the 1. d4 theory the white player has surely studied the bejeezus out of
some people go on ahead and play 2. c4 and that turns things into a Slav
which is not bad a ...[text shortened]... yet to come across a first move for white where playing 1. ... (or 2. ... or 3. ...) c6 is bad
Sicilian...
bad
very baaaad...
3 edits
Against e4:
Sicilian Kan (Hedgehog Formation)
Occasional Dragon
Against d4:
Nimzo/Queen Indian (Hedgehog Formation)
Against c4:
Symmetrical English (Hedgehog Formation)
Against Nf3:
c5 (Hedgehog Formation)
You can tell I like the hedgehog 😛. I'm a really aggressive player and the Hedgehog allows me to wait until my opponent overextends themselves, and punish them tactically for it (well that's the idea for it). I've found ways to get a Hedgehog position no matter what white's first move is, meaning I get more time to study it and not bother with other positions.
Originally posted by cmsMaster1. e4
The White openings got some pretty good responses, so let's hear about what you like to use as black against 1.e4, 1.d4, 1.c4, and/or 1.Nf3.
I especially need help with deciding on something against 1.d4...because I just can't find something that I like and isn't loaded with theory.
I play e5 for the most part. Don't use any particular lines, just play what comes about as best I can (I'm sure there are names but I don't know them).
1. d4
The Benoni. I think the old one. Or go into a normal queens pawn game, depending on opponents rating.
1. c4
Again, e5. Used to play c5 but switched over a while ago.
1. Nf3
d5 or c5. Depending on how I'm feeling. But usually d5.