Hi,
i can recommend you Grunfeld defence as a solution of your problem. It is hard opening for opponent to beat, because black has good chances for taking over the initiatives in the early part of the game. If you want learn something more, please write to me in the private message, i could send a book about this opening. And finally a short sample game in this opening:
Well, I heard about Grunfeld but I have never even tried to learn. I realized that was a huge mistake and this opening solves plenty of my problems with Catalan System. Thank you very much 
I 2nd the Grunfeld, a warning though, it can be very complex so be careful.
I 2nd the Grunfeld, a warning though, it can be very complex so be careful.
well, don't expect an agressive opening as black which is not complex... That is a bit the idea.
Grunfeld/KI/Dutch are the main tries for black to be agressive against 1.d4.
They are indeed complex, after all it is black's taste (if he chooses one of these openings).
grunfeld is very flexible for black since it gives him choice to go for active pieces game with attack on white centre, also if white deviate from mainline cxd5, black may go something more solid with c7-c6 or even e7-e6...
sometime players equilize it with (KID) due to "indian" buth this is pure central opening, and since pg6 Bg7 formation with flexible center, attack on black king is not so dangerous option, and like in KID white can not just push queenside pawns at all
Well, I heard about Grunfeld but I have never even tried to learn. I realized that was a huge mistake and this opening solves plenty of my problems with Catalan System. Thank you very much
Catalon?
dxc4, Bc8-d7-c6 (with or without intermediate c7-c5 break).
Hi,
i can recommend you Grunfeld defence as a solution of your problem. It is hard opening for opponent to beat, because black has good chances for taking over the initiatives in the early part of the game. If you want learn something more, please write to me in the private message, i could send a book about this opening. And finally a short sample game in this opening:
That won't solve his problem. White is under no obligation to play 4.c4, including MYSELF!
I play what the OP is mentioning as White, and I can tell you that against 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 c5, I play 4.dxc5, which typically leads to either a reversed QGA or a reversed Noteboom. For example, I have an ongoing email correspondence game that started out 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.b4 a5 6.c3 axb4 7.cxb4 b6 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxd7 Nxd7 10.a4 bxc5 11.b5. We are, of course, further into the game and I can't discuss it as it is not over, but just pointing out that you are under no circumstances assured of a Grunfeld!
I assume you want minimal work to fit in with the Volga. It depends what you play against the Volga Declined. After 1.d4, Nf6 2.c4, c5 3.d5, b5 4.Nf3, you play 4..., g6, then 1.d4, Nf6 2.Nf3, g6 is flexible. If black plays 3.c4, c5 4.d5, b5 is back to the Volga, while 4.Nc3, cxd4 5.Nxd4, d5 has a poor reputation, but scores well in practice. If you play the Blumenfeld 1.d4, Nf6 2.c4, c5 3.d5, b5 4.Nf3, e6, then you can either play 2.Nf3, e6 and if 3.c4, c5 4.d5, b5 or 2.Nf3, c5 3.d5, e6 4.c4, b5. In the latter case, 4.Nc3 is a serious option, but nothing special for white. In either case if white doesn't play d5, you transpose to a kind of symmetrical English, Anti-Benoni. Finally, if you play 1.d4, Nf6 2.c4, c5 3.d5, b5 4.Nf3, Bb7 you almost have to play 2.Nf3, c5 3. d5, b5, but here 4.Bg5 is very dangerous and not much fun for black. Otherwise you could consider 2.Nf3, e6 3.c4, c5 4.d5, d6 5.Nc3, exd5 6.cxd5, d6 with a Modern Benoni, having avoided the f4 lines.
I assume you want minimal work to fit in with the Volga. It depends what you play against the Volga Declined. After 1.d4, Nf6 2.c4, c5 3.d5, b5 4.Nf3, you play 4..., g6, then 1.d4, Nf6 2.Nf3, g6 is flexible. If black plays 3.c4, c5 4.d5, b5 is back to the Volga, while 4.Nc3, cxd4 5.Nxd4, d5 has a poor reputation, but scores well in practice. If you play the Blumenfeld 1.d4, Nf6 2.c4, c5 3.d5, b5 4.Nf3, e6, then you can either play 2.Nf3, e6 and if 3.c4, c5 4.d5, b5 or 2.Nf3, c5 3.d5, e6 4.c4, b5. In the latter case, 4.Nc3 is a serious option, but nothing special for white. In either case if white doesn't play d5, you transpose to a kind of symmetrical English, Anti-Benoni. Finally, if you play 1.d4, Nf6 2.c4, c5 3.d5, b5 4.Nf3, Bb7 you almost have to play 2.Nf3, c5 3. d5, b5, but here 4.Bg5 is very dangerous and not much fun for black. Otherwise you could consider 2.Nf3, e6 3.c4, c5 4.d5, d6 5.Nc3, exd5 6.cxd5, d6 with a Modern Benoni, having avoided the f4 lines.
I do everything you wrote but like ThrillerFan said white are not obligated to play c4 in any variation.
I've played Noteboom in some games and it's quite good against less experienced opponents but white can easy avoid that by going to slav defence where they might keep passive and boring position.
Have someone more ideas? Maybe something like fast c5 and cxd4?
I assume you want minimal work to fit in with the Volga. It depends what you play against the Volga Declined. After 1.d4, Nf6 2.c4, c5 3.d5, b5 4.Nf3, you play 4..., g6, then 1.d4, Nf6 2.Nf3, g6 is flexible. If black plays 3.c4, c5 4.d5, b5 is back to the Volga, while 4.Nc3, cxd4 5.Nxd4, d5 has a poor reputation, but scores well in practice. If you play the Blumenfeld 1.d4, Nf6 2.c4, c5 3.d5, b5 4.Nf3, e6, then you can either play 2.Nf3, e6 and if 3.c4, c5 4.d5, b5 or 2.Nf3, c5 3.d5, e6 4.c4, b5. In the latter case, 4.Nc3 is a serious option, but nothing special for white. In either case if white doesn't play d5, you transpose to a kind of symmetrical English, Anti-Benoni. Finally, if you play 1.d4, Nf6 2.c4, c5 3.d5, b5 4.Nf3, Bb7 you almost have to play 2.Nf3, c5 3. d5, b5, but here 4.Bg5 is very dangerous and not much fun for black. Otherwise you could consider 2.Nf3, e6 3.c4, c5 4.d5, d6 5.Nc3, exd5 6.cxd5, d6 with a Modern Benoni, having avoided the f4 lines.
I do everything you wrote but like ThrillerFan said white are not obligated to play c4 in any variation.
I've played Noteboom in some games and it's quite good against less experienced opponents but white can easy avoid that by going to slav defence where they might keep passive and boring position.
Have someone more ideas? Maybe something like fast c5 and cxd4?
A quote-unquote "fast c5" against players that play 2.Nf3 will usually lead to one of three scenarios. While other scenarios are possible, these three are the most likely that you'll see given what a typical 1.d4 Nf3 player plays. The first 2 are more likely to come at the amateur level while the third is more likely as higher levels, and the third is what I play myself as White!
Exchange Slav: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 3.c3 cxd4 4.cxd4 - Direct transposition to the Exchange Slav
Exchange Caro-Kann: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 3.e3 cxd4 4.cxd4 - Direct transposition to the Exchange Caro-Kann, and not a good one for White! usually White wants to delay the development of the King's Knight as long as possible, at least until Black moves his Light-Squared Bishop - a case of battle for the tempo.
Benoni without c4 (i.e. Closed Benoni instead of Czech Benoni - can also get Schmid Benoni): This arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 3.d5 d6 (or 3...e6) 4.Nc3! By not occupying the c4-square with a pawn, White can take the f3-Knight and go through d2 to c4, along with the move a4, creates a bind on the Queenside and also adds pressure to the weak d6-point.
Hi.
I have no idea how to play against that opening. I usually play volga gambit but c5 in the second move in this variation too often goes into sicilian defence where I haven't got any experience and it's too passive.
I don't mind learning something new instead of 1...Nf6, I just want to get open and active position with many opportunities.
Thanks.