how to start with 1. e4

how to start with 1. e4

Only Chess

Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.

v

Joined
04 Jul 06
Moves
7174
03 Mar 09

Hi,
I am a somehow advanced chess player. I have a general knowledge of all the openings, but:
I play only 1. d4.

I am planning to start using 1.e4 in long games. I started to use it in blitz a few days back, with closed games in sicilian, like 1e4 c5 2 g3 and some King's gambits against e5, where even I do not know any theory comes a bit natural, and in blitz I do not need all that opening knowledge...
I am looking for some safe, quiet lines/plans for 1.e4(in 1d4 style), where to get the closed games that I prefer but to make it tougher for the opponents to prepare...
Any advice?

G

Joined
16 Nov 06
Moves
9787
03 Mar 09

I started playing the alapin sicilian (e4 e5 c3), sound positional line building a strong centre and castling short. Throws the usual sicilian player of guard.

The french and caro are already quite closed, against the caro the advance closes the centre immediatly. Against e5 you could just go for the ruy, which is in itself a strategical opening rather than all out tactical melee (although black can always insist on a sharp game, as with any other opening).

A
A brain like a sieve

Berlin to London

Joined
20 Oct 07
Moves
9983
03 Mar 09

Originally posted by vipiu
Hi,
I am a somehow advanced chess player. I have a general knowledge of all the openings, but:
I play only 1. d4.

Any advice?
stay playing 1.d4!!!
Why changing your opening move after several years of playing 1.d4?

G

Joined
16 Nov 06
Moves
9787
03 Mar 09

He told it in his post, to avoid preparation by his opponents.

v

Joined
04 Jul 06
Moves
7174
03 Mar 09

Originally posted by Alzheimer
stay playing 1.d4!!!
Why changing your opening move after several years of playing 1.d4?
Because of opponents' preparation. I do not want them to have preparation for me, I want to be a step ahead...

I recently had to play against an opponent that plays 1d4 1c4 and 1e4 and made my preparation almost impossible.
Plus that I think this will increase my general chess knowledge on a long term...see the Linares players...they all play all...

v

Joined
04 Jul 06
Moves
7174
03 Mar 09

Originally posted by Garnoth
I started playing the alapin sicilian (e4 e5 c3), sound positional line building a strong centre and castling short. Throws the usual sicilian player of guard.

The french and caro are already quite closed, against the caro the advance closes the centre immediatly. Against e5 you could just go for the ruy, which is in itself a strategical opening rather th ...[text shortened]... ut tactical melee (although black can always insist on a sharp game, as with any other opening).
I do not like to play Ruy

Naturally Right

Somewhere Else

Joined
22 Jun 04
Moves
42677
03 Mar 09
1 edit

Originally posted by vipiu
Hi,
I am a somehow advanced chess player. I have a general knowledge of all the openings, but:
I play only 1. d4.

I am planning to start using 1.e4 in long games. I started to use it in blitz a few days back, with closed games in sicilian, like 1e4 c5 2 g3 and some King's gambits against e5, where even I do not know any theory comes a bit natural, and in ...[text shortened]... closed games that I prefer but to make it tougher for the opponents to prepare...
Any advice?
I was never a 1 d4 player but I've switched recently from immediately aggressive lines against the French, Caro and Sicilian to the King's Indian Attack opening with 1 e4 as recommended in Emm's Starting Out book. I'd say it's safe and quiet to begin with but can easily lead to good attacking positions against Black's Kingside. Moro has some good games with it, esp. against the French.

G

Joined
16 Nov 06
Moves
9787
03 Mar 09

Well, it very hard to find a solid line against e5 that's not wild and tactical (except for the ruy), if you like KG, go for it, but it's hardly like any d4 opening...

Quiet line in e4 e5 are mostly very open (scotch), which is far removed from d4 openings....

w
If Theres Hell Below

We're All Gonna Go!

Joined
10 Sep 05
Moves
10228
03 Mar 09

Originally posted by vipiu
Hi,
I am a somehow advanced chess player. I have a general knowledge of all the openings, but:
I play only 1. d4.

I am planning to start using 1.e4 in long games. I started to use it in blitz a few days back, with closed games in sicilian, like 1e4 c5 2 g3 and some King's gambits against e5, where even I do not know any theory comes a bit natural, and in ...[text shortened]... closed games that I prefer but to make it tougher for the opponents to prepare...
Any advice?
the c3-experts like tiviakov seem to get great scores against sicilian players, but those who only dabble at it not so great. I guess that's true for any opening, but at least it tells you there's great potential if you just put in the work.

to me, 2.c3 gives most difficulties as black, but then again my openings are still very weak.

what do you play against 1.e4 yourself?

Erro Ergo Sum

In the Green Room

Joined
09 Jul 07
Moves
522366
03 Mar 09

I've been playing chess since 1960, playing 1.e4 until about 1970 when I played both 1.e4 and 1.d4, but I haven't opened with 1.e4 since 2003 and I have a friend who hasn't opened with 1.e4 since 1977.

v

Joined
04 Jul 06
Moves
7174
03 Mar 09

Originally posted by wormwood
the c3-experts like tiviakov seem to get great scores against sicilian players, but those who only dabble at it not so great. I guess that's true for any opening, but at least it tells you there's great potential if you just put in the work.

to me, 2.c3 gives most difficulties as black, but then again my openings are still very weak.

what do you play against 1.e4 yourself?
French main, Alechine recently as a surprise and sometime sicilian if I know what line my opponent will chose.

J

Joined
03 Nov 08
Moves
15420
03 Mar 09

You might consider playing Nf3, with the chance of transposing into a favorable d4 opening.

c
Grammar Nazi

Auschwitz

Joined
03 Apr 06
Moves
44348
04 Mar 09

While I play e4 to open up the game for all kinds of tactical openings, like the Dragon, Najdorf, Scotch, etc., there are also some quieter lines, for one the Alpin Sicilan.

However, IMO, the point of playing e4 is tactics. If you want to play closed positional games, play d4 and Nf3.

k

washington

Joined
18 Dec 05
Moves
47023
04 Mar 09

it is not difficult to equalize against the closed sicilian. I found that variations of e4 Nc3 black has to know better lines or if he tries his usual d6 and Nf6 moves white can really throw blacks game out of wack. Keeping it entirely closed I would say you are better off keeping a closed d4 game opposed to a closed e4 game. e4 is meant for open games which white can use his extra move to attack.

b

Joined
18 Apr 06
Moves
31699
04 Mar 09

learn the Scotch Game: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxe4