I like the indian defenses the best. I have to go with NID, QD and KID. Although, I like many others too like the Benko and Slav/Semi-Slav. Even the QGD is fun in some lines. I like that there is such a great choice of good openings vs d4. Against e4, I can only find the French (but no Winnawer or Nf6 Tarrasch, more stodgy stuff), Sicilian (Najdorf, Kan and Sveshnikov) and Classical e5 that give me decent and objectively roughly equal positions. And even there, it's a real challenge in some lines.
Originally posted by exigentskyThis is exactly why I always start games as white with 1.e4 and probably will always give 1.d4 a wash.
I like the indian defenses the best. I have to go with NID, QD and KID. Although, I like many others too like the Benko and Slav/Semi-Slav. Even the QGD is fun in some lines. I like that there is such a great choice of good openings vs d4. Against e4, I can only find the French (but no Winnawer or Nf6 Tarrasch, more stodgy stuff), Sicilian (Najdorf, Kan a ...[text shortened]... t and objectively roughly equal positions. And even there, it's a real challenge in some lines.
here's a thought:
DON'T play through mainline openings, instead, judge what you think the best response to d4 is by looking at the board.
I try t only use opening lines to cross check results if I come across something I like
that's how I discovered Caro-Kann
I looked for a safe way of contesting the d5 square after 1. e4, and so I came up with 1. ... c6! before discovering its Name (Caro-Kann)
after 1. d4, try and find your own way of restricting whit's ability to play an immediate 2. e4
this is how 1. ... d5 and 1. ... Nf6 were discovered in the days of ole.