It's just when I looked on YouTube for an answer...every opening proposed by a GM is explained and criticised by another GM, where he explains how white can counter and destroy black's defence.....
Best opening for black against 1.e4??
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Instead of "that ends wuth black with an equal", a "sound defense" to 1.e4 is maybe a simpler term.
There are three ways to answer to 1.e4:
1.controlling the d4 square, with 1...e5 or 1...c5 (the Sicilian defense)
2.setting a pawn on d5 with 1...e6 (the French defense) or 1...c6 (the caro-kann defense)
3.not willing to set a pawn in the center directly, by playing 1...g6 (the modern defense), 1...d6 (the Pirc defense, similar on plural aspects to the modern), 1...Nf6 (the Alekhine defense), 1...Nc6 (the Nimzovich defense) 1...b6 (the Owen defense), etc
The "best" opening depends on what you are searching for. Knowing that you play the London system, I would suggest you the classical variation Caro-kann (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2/Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 - 3.Nd2/Nc3 isn't the only variation at all, there is also 3.e5, 3.exd5 etc), but this is only a suggestion.
Jun 10, 2020
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#4
Well....thanks...that suggestion is actually helpful...as you recommended it on a base of a previous experience of mine...that should make things a lot easier!..I will give it a shot..thanks!
Jun 10, 2020
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#5
I play Alekhine, Nimzowitch, and Pirc/Modern. You should try some of those, or you can play ...e5
Jun 10, 2020
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#6
SNUDOO wrote:
I play Alekhine, Nimzowitch, and Pirc/Modern. You should try some of those, or you can play ...e5
Just because you play something does not make it suitable at all for someone else. That would be like me saying that because I play the French, everyone should play the French. That is ludicrous.
That said, other than 1...e5, every opening you mention is in the secondary category of openings and, while better than garbage like 1...f6, they are all inferior to the four openings that directly control a central square, either e4 or d4.
London players probably should play the Caro-Kann out of the 4 main choices.
Even some hypermodern openings are good, but notice that the good ones in some way or another directly fight for control of either e4 or d4. For example, the Nimzo Indian does not allow White to easily play e4. Whether you do it with pawns (classical) or pieces (hypermodern), you must contest e4 or d4 from the get go if you do not want an inferior position as Black.
The French is not better than the Sicilian. 1...e5 is not better than the Caro-Kann. The four are equally valid and equally strong. The best move against e4 is whichever of those 4 moves each individual understands best. For me it is 1...e6. For the OP, I agree with another poster that it would likely be 1...c6. The other 16 moves though, comparatively speaking, are all weaker.
Jun 10, 2020
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#7
FGMkyrollous wrote:
It's just when I looked on YouTube for an answer...every opening proposed by a GM is explained and criticised by another GM, where he explains how white can counter and destroy black's defence.....
That means the opening doesn't win on the spot. It's a good thing, you know how to play both sides.
the resign variation e4e5 0-1
Jun 11, 2020
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#9
All right...thanks everyone...especially ThrillerFan....the "fight for the centre" can't be put aside as you said...many thanks!.....so up till now...most of you recommend the centre-contesting four defences....with Caro-kann on top.....so be it then......
As like you could play the Sicilian defencce
Oct 23, 2020
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#12
https://chessmood.com/courses step-by-step opening repertoire prepared by grandmasters.
The best opening vs 1. e4 could depend on how strong the 2 players are? If both very strong you have to be aware that the Ruy Lopez has been analyzed to a draw and some want to play for a draw against a tough Super GM?
e6 , the french defence
Oct 23, 2020
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#15
at your rating i think sticking with ...e5 can only be a good idea, but if you go with something else i would suggest the French, Sicilian or Caro-Kann, all of which are strong openings.
Caro-Kann. Super solid. People who say it's drawish have never played it. Even super GMs play the Caro-Kann for a win.
Oct 23, 2020
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#17
indeed. The BEST Defense (overall) is the Only Advice I will give to you: "EQUALIZE FIRST, THEN FISH for something LATER!" Without THIS ingrained into your Mindset, you will not find what you're looking for. Trust me. All the great comments from great players will be for naught. This is not a "new" concept. Trends come n go, but THIS ADVICE is Fundamental. Whichever Defense you ultimately chose to study; you have to have this Mindset. This type of Philosophy (Chess Philosophy) which is more too often overlooked. Sure, I can recommend something, give some lines blah blah. But it won't promote Growth. I guess if you're just looking for some quick fix, pseudo sense of self validation, take heed to the great posters that pass by here. All I'm saying is, due your own due diligence in figuring out (with your own skill set) which defense Equalizes the best for you. Try'em all. Or, in fact, try to improve endgame skills which is important especially being on defense. Brush up more on Positional themes or casual pawn structure. Either way, it helps with any defense you take up because it doesn't matter the lines, variations or strategic ideas~but that it Equalizes. nuff said! best wishes ✌🏽
I generally play e5(King’s awn) Nc6(is this the Alekine?), e6(French), c6(Caro-Kann), or c4(Sicilian) in response to e4, and there are many variations from there. I play the London system, Accerlerated London System, the King’s Indian and Queen’s Indian, Slav, and Semi-Slav in response to d4.
Oct 24, 2020
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#19
@cocolove2018 1...Nc6 is the Nimzowitch. I play the Alekhine, which is 1...Nf6.
So after a long time with 1.e4 myself when playing as white, and always playing the ordinary 1. ....e5 when black...I decided to learn a new opening as white, which happened to be the London system, which I became good at by now (after about 100 matches of white misery?)...as my opponents rarely have a previous experience against it..
Things were all just fine as white....until I had to play as black...and then things got messy.....why?...... because the only answer I almost always used is...as always...1. ...e5, an answer that ALL my opponents were customed with.....and from there they barrage me with all kinds of gambits and tricks that are designed against the same lame 1. .....e5 of black....sometimes I survive the nightmare....sometimes I don't....and that needs to change!!
So.....I started this forum to ask....what do you think is black's best response against 1.e4 ? And by "best response" I mean an opening that ends with black with an equal or- I wish- a better position for black...it's just stupid to let white has this unique advantage without a fight...the advantage of playing the opening that he knows every detail about while you have to explore your way through....the advantage of fighting in HIS battlefield.....it's just too powerful if used correctly....and without enough retaliation from black...
Thanks for your time and effort...
Oh... and one last thing....could you also mention your opinion about the best response for black against 1.d4 too?? It happens to be the 2nd most popular opening for white......Thanks...