So I see threads on here all the time asking about what openings to play. I see the same advice all the time about picking things that go with your style of play and not worrying about learning openings until you are stronger, etc. I give some of that advice myself. Despite this, I would like a straight answer to the following question.
What opening should I play against 1.d4, or what are some related openings to focus on. I realize all the advice I mentioned above, and it is true, so don't repeat it please. I want something that suits me and I would more easily feel comfortable with and I haven't really figured out what "style" I am or what queen's pawn openings coorespond.
Against 1.e4 I play the French Defense, almost religiously, although occasionally I'll respond 1.e5, hoping to take the black side of the Ruy Lopez. As white I play the Ruy Lopez if my opponent allows it and face the French head-on, not diverting into sissy exchange variation crap. Against the Sicilian I usually play the Moscow or Rossolimo variation, which for me seems the best balance of not going into Dragon theory I don't have time for, but not completely throwing the game out of book on move 2. I'm happy with these openings, but I don't know what this says about my "style", what openings against the queen's pawn coorespond?
Deep Thought's option seems interesting, some people will transpose back into the French with 2.e4. How dangerous is the Dutch, do you need to be a GM to not get killed playing it, or just need to avoid playing against GMs? Does black have other responses to 1.d4 e6 that don't let me go to the Dutch with ...f5, or other things I need to figure a line against?
Originally posted by UmbrageOfSnowAfter 1.d4 e6, white's main way of avoiding the Dutch is 2.e4.
Deep Thought's option seems interesting, some people will transpose back into the French with 2.e4. How dangerous is the Dutch, do you need to be a GM to not get killed playing it, or just need to avoid playing against GMs? Does black have other responses to 1.d4 e6 that don't let me go to the Dutch with ...f5, or other things I need to figure a line against?
But, if you're ok playing a French, then this should be fine. If you're not ok playing the French, this move order isn't much use to you.
I've seen 1.d4 e6. 2.g4, but I think this is quite rare.
Otherwise, there's no way to prevent you playing 2...f5.
Originally posted by RedmikeSo since I love the French, this move order sounds great for me if I like the Dutch.
After 1.d4 e6, white's main way of avoiding the Dutch is 2.e4.
But, if you're ok playing a French, then this should be fine. If you're not ok playing the French, this move order isn't much use to you.
I've seen 1.d4 e6. 2.g4, but I think this is quite rare.
Otherwise, there's no way to prevent you playing 2...f5.
What is the Dutch like, does it give me good chances as black?
Does anyone have any good books to recomend on the Dutch lines that rise out of f5,e6?
Lately, I'm been playing 1...Nf6 followed by 2...Nc6 against White's 1. d4 and 2. c4. It's the soundest of defenses but it falls along the lines of Alekhines defense if White plays 3. d5.
Aside from that I like playing 1...c5 to counter White's attempt at the standard Queen's pawn openings.
benko gambit!
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 c5
3. d5 b5
4. cxb5 a6
unlike most gambits, its quite sound and doesn't require a huge amount of knowledge to play
example game: Game 2990834
Some comments on the mentioned defenses..
The Dutch is weakening opening (very early, on the kingside), so people normally don't play it. I think it has perhaps the worse stats for black.
The King's Indian is a controversial opening, some love it since it gives you a guaranteed attack (often with mating chanses), some despise it (I think it was Petrosian who said "white should have 80%"😉. It is probably better than the Dutch, though.
The Benko is good, but it won't be a mainline opening since you can't always get it against 1. d4, and it is also somewhat risky, although you'll have the initiative and good structure for only a pawn.
Finally, Nimzo-Indian is sound, solid, easy-to-play and gives you the initiative. Some think it is too good and therefore try to avoid it as white. I would personally this opening.
Apart from those, you have the Benoni (sharp, benko-like), Grünfeld (sharp, active piece defense), Queen's Gambit (mostly quiet, but difficult), Slav (also Queen's gambit, though sometimes very sharp). I am sure I forgot something.
And for gambit openings, you should probably mostly use them as surprise weapons rather than "main" openings, as they mostly involve risk. Gambits like Blackmar-Diemar are by most considered useless.
Originally posted by UmbrageOfSnowSince you play the French, you might want to consider the Tartakower Defense: 1 d4 e6 2 c4 (2 e4 is the French, of course) d5 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 Be7 5 Nf3 O-O 6 O-O b6.
So I see threads on here all the time asking about what openings to play. I see the same advice all the time about picking things that go with your style of play and not worrying about learning openings until you are stronger, etc. I give some of that advice myself. Despite this, I would like a straight answer to the following question.
[b]What o what this says about my "style", what openings against the queen's pawn coorespond?
Since the French and Tarkakower result in similar pawn structures, it is easier to learn one if you already know the other.
Originally posted by GolubAlthough it's been hinted I'd like to mention that most people say black has full compensation for the pawn in the Benko Gambit - it's very sound, the real troubles seem to lie when white declines the gambit or only half accepts (taking the b pawn, but not the a pawn). I still like to use it - but I haven't had spectacular results with it - I'm not going to give up on, it has so little theory, and for a pawn you get a superior pawn structure and lots of queenside pressure.
Some comments on the mentioned defenses..
The Dutch is weakening opening (very early, on the kingside), so people normally don't play it. I think it has perhaps the worse stats for black.
The King's Indian is a controversial opening, some love it since it gives you a guaranteed attack (often with mating chanses), some despise it (I think it was Petrosia ...[text shortened]... hey mostly involve risk. Gambits like Blackmar-Diemar are by most considered useless.
The Budapest Gambit is another very interesting opening worth definite consideration, I've played it and found that it's pretty solid and fun - though I only use it in blitz.
Since you're a French player though I think That QGD lines would probably be best for you - it's pretty similar to the French Defense.
Originally posted by Golubproblem with King's Indian is that black MUST find a way to keep from being suffocated under something like the Fearsome Four Pawns Attack
Some comments on the mentioned defenses..
The Dutch is weakening opening (very early, on the kingside), so people normally don't play it. I think it has perhaps the worse stats for black.
The King's Indian is a controversial opening, some love it since it gives you a guaranteed attack (often with mating chanses), some despise it (I think it was Petrosia ...[text shortened]... hey mostly involve risk. Gambits like Blackmar-Diemar are by most considered useless.
if black makes a good pawn break, and creates some activity on those lines, it is god for black...
but timing, i believe, is of the essence in finding a way to open the correct line...
strictly positional game lines here...