What should I use against 1. d4?

[PaulusIII]

Since my opening theory is quite limited in scope, I'd like to ask the rest of chess-playing CFC for a good weapon against 1.d4. I've played the Budapest so far, but find that one to be slightly lacking though I like its aggressive play.

Does anyone know of a good opening for me?

 

[Narz]

I also used to play the Budapest gambit. These days I play the Noteboom variation of the semi-slav, Queen's Gambit declined. I've lost a few games with it on chess.com (against very strong players) but generally because I played some unusual/risky moves later in the middlegame. The statistics for black are more favorably than any other version of the queens gambit declined.

If white plays 2. Nf3 instead of 2. c4 I generally just play Nf6, Bf5, e6, etc. and get a decent game (though I don't know the exact name for what I'm doing).

 

[JonathanStrange]

Slav defense for soundness; Dutch defense for aggressiveness.

 

[Richard Cribb]

I don't know your rating or amount of experience, but if you are in the process of learning positional play, avoid fancy lines and just play the classical ones. Some normal line in QGD is the most healthy, but QGA is good too.

 

[col]

I play the King's Indian. It 'fits' with the opening I play against e4 (Dragon or Pirc). I think you need to have an opening repertoire that leads to positions you feel comfortable with. There is no 'best' opening or defense obviously. The object is to play positions that you understand - and that hopefully your oppo doesnt.

 

[DaveShack]

I agree with col, it's important to get comfortable with families of positions. Then use openings which lead to those position families when possible.

If you don't know what positions are good for your style, you almost have to experiment a bit and see what the various openings yield.

 

[Mehmed100]

Against 1. d4, I am attempting to learn the Dutch Defense. It is much less boring than the QGD and fits my style of play better. The Dutch can be used by both tactically oriented and positional players and is often underestimated and understudied by unaware 1. d4 practitioners. Use it at your own risk though as the positions can be dangerous for black in some of the lines.

 

[Zubbus]

Yeah I think a lot of us get lazy and are basically inclined to look for a chance to play our white game as Black. I open 1. d4 so I would answer the same with 1...d5
I also tried budpest. I like the Fajowicsz(whatever) variation.

 

[Pacifist46]

Personally I use the Nimzo-Indian if possible, or the Slav.

 

[WhiteEagle22]

If I had to counter d4, I think I would respond with d5 myself, as e5 would result in 2) dxe5.

 

[Sashie VII]

I play classical QGD, occasionally trying out KID and slav. Here's a thought: when you play d4 yourself, what reply makes you uncomfortable? You might want to try playing it yourself and understand it better.