Originally posted by pwnguin
But the reason I want recommendations other than that is that is why I am already planning to play. My main repertoire is already ...e5, and I want surprises. The Wilkes-Barre is indeed spicy, but I will have to invest more time than I want to perfect it for OTB play. The classical is just fine for me now.
Against the Ruy I was planning on buying a book o ny more recommendations?
How is the pirc defense? Can you show me any attacking games in it?
I'm not sure what else to reccommend; I know your dilemna all too well. I have grown tired of 1. ... e5 in response to 1. e4, mainly because there are
so many games that result from it (King's Gambit, Four Knights Game, Italian Game, Ruy Lopez, etc.), but I'm having trouble finding a semi-open defense for black that I'm comfortable with. I tried the Sicilian for a good while, and it's probably one of my favorites, but there can be so many complications that can go way over my head ๐. I tried the Caro-Kann, but I absolutely hated it; it just didn't work for me. I tried (am still in the process of trying) the French, but I'm not having all that much luck with it. Besides that, I don't know what other (semi-open) defenses there are, sound or unsound. Especially in CC, I don't feel like trying the Scandinavian Defense or the Alekhine Defense. I'm still considering trying Owen's Defense (1. e4 b6), which you might look into, but I'm pretty sure white would have good chances against it.
As for now, I'm still indecisive.
Edit: I also looked up 1. e4 g6 (Robatsch Defense), in addition to 1. e4 b6 (Owen's Defense).