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What to do against 1.d4 ?

What to do against 1.d4 ?

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Hi everyone.

I have been observing this forum for a while and find it very interesting. Now I hope to get some good opinions to my problem.

I am an 1800 rated player in my country and I have a good opening plan as white against pretty much anything black plays against my first move which is always e4.

As black I play sicilian kan against e4 as I like the possibilities black gets from that opening.

However, I am having a great problem of finding what to play against 1.d4. I tried the Nimzo-indian but found that too many games ended in a draw (against weaker players) and my queen´s bishop so often gets very bad and closed in.

Then I swiched to the slav but I really don´t like the slow play it offers. Then I switch again to the Nimzo-indian and what happened? My two last games against weaker oponents ended in a draw!

What on earth should I do? I have sometimes tried the dutch but I´m not sure if that´s the right opening against stronger openents.

Thanks in advance and I hope we can have a good discussion on this subject as I reckon many players are fighting to find the "correct" opening against 1.d4.

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Originally posted by thb
Hi everyone.

I have been observing this forum for a while and find it very interesting. Now I hope to get some good opinions to my problem.

I am an 1800 rated player in my country and I have a good opening plan as white against pretty much anything black plays against my first move which is always e4.

As black I play sicilian kan against e4 as I like t ...[text shortened]... this subject as I reckon many players are fighting to find the "correct" opening against 1.d4.
You could try the KID. I find that usually offers relatively closed positions, and positional play. If you're looking for something more tactical, I think the benko would be a great option for you. 1. d4 c5 Black often sacrifices a pawn for development and play. This may be a good option against your weaker opponents who won't be able to deal with the pressure you put on them. Against your stronger opponents, you could just play the Nimzo, and be happy with a draw.

I don't personally play the benko often, and I never sacrifice the pawn. Instead, I go for a sort of reversed Reti. But the gambit may be just what you need to get the full point.

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I have the same problem with 1.d4 .... . The Grunfeld Defense seems to be my only option. I do not care for the King's Indian Defense. I am thinking about trying the Czech Benoni. I seem to get in trouble every time I try the Benko Gambit. White seems to fear taking the a6 pawn. 1. d4 .... is a good opening, but I do not like it. Maybe you might like the Modern Defense 1. d4 g6. I guess that could also be 1. e4 g6 as well.

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Originally posted by thb
Hi everyone.

I have been observing this forum for a while and find it very interesting. Now I hope to get some good opinions to my problem.

I am an 1800 rated player in my country and I have a good opening plan as white against pretty much anything black plays against my first move which is always e4.

As black I play sicilian kan against e4 as I like t ...[text shortened]... this subject as I reckon many players are fighting to find the "correct" opening against 1.d4.
I play KID.

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1 ... d5!!! Lasker's defense! Perfect! One gambit deserves another.

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d5 or Nf6

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dont let these amateurs fool you. play 1...Nf6!! and rest will be easy.
0-1 for sure.

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Originally posted by Jusuh
dont let these amateurs fool you. play 1...Nf6!! and rest will be easy.
0-1 for sure.
I have played 1. .... Nf6 most of the time. That move does not give Black anything on White. White could play Bg5.

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The Dutch defence (1. d4 f5) is worth considering, as long as you don't mind the occasional total disaster (Game 1342874).

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I play the KID, you should give it a try. It gives black a solid possition and at the same time he will have counterchances against whites centre and chances for a king side attack.

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Consider these moves as an interesting alternative for black against a Queen's Pawn Opening...

1.d4 d5 2.c4 Bf5 or...

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Bf5 or...

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Bf5

You will find a good analysis of these flexible lines in "The Baltic Defence To The Queen's Gambit" by Andrew Soltis.

ISBN 0-87568-228-6

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What about the Benoni????

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Don't forget , you should try like ark13 said , The Reversed Reti , the opposite of King's Indian Attack which is King's Indian Defence , those systems work or the Semi-Slav is also playable , and is a good solid defence especially systems like the Noteboom and Botvinnik are good and interesting . Some people prefer the highly-regarded Benko-gambit or you could play 1...e6 and transpose to the French or Queen's Gambit Declined if you prefer but the choice is up to you , the variations are different , just study up on one and use it vitally.

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Originally posted by SicilianNajdorf
Don't forget , you should try like ark13 said , The Reversed Reti , the opposite of King's Indian Attack which is King's Indian Defence , those systems work or the Semi-Slav is also playable , and is a good solid defence especially systems like the Noteboom and Botvinnik are good and interesting . Some people prefer the highly-regarded Benko-gambi ...[text shortened]... he choice is up to you , the variations are different , just study up on one and use it vitally.
What about the Benoni????

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Yeah I know , when I say a few , I tehcniclly am adressing all of them , but I take the Benoni defense in low regard, and in the case of Benko Gambit , after 5.bxa6 Bxa6 6.g3 and kingside fianchetto. Maybe , you should try the Nimzo-Indian Defence .