Thanks very much I'll take a look.
So far I've tried both but neither way seems to have worked. Although, I think the game where I declined I did it in a really poor way which means I can't castle and has left my rook in a fairly usless position. I'd link the game, but its still on going.
Originally posted by Jake EllisonI don't play 1...d5. I play either 1...f5 (Dutch Defense) or 1...b5 (Polish Defense). As you get better, you'll learn about more openings.
I'm an excremly inexperienced player, and it seems to me that any time someone plays a Queens Gambit against me I end up in a real terrible position. Does anyone have any tips on defending it or have an games they could show me where they have?
Originally posted by mcreynoldsLike game 6 in the 1927 José Raúl Capablanca - Alexander Alekhine games. Interesting to see it in action.
If you go for a set up with your pawns on d5 and e6, knights on f6 and d7, Bishop on e7 and castle kingside you should have a solid position. Then capture with your pawn on c4 and play Nd5 to trade some pieces off.
The Slav (1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6) is very solid and is a tough nut to crack. Many great players have played it, including Capablanca. The only drawback is that if White plays the Exchange Variation ( 3 cd cd), he can make Black's winning chances quite slim if he avoids complications. As such, the Slav is not an appropriate opening if as Black you are playing for a win.
What to play if you are playing for a win "at all costs?" The Tchigorin Defense is what I would recommend (1 d4 d5 c4 Nc6). Black often castles queenside resulting in a very exciting game.