Dynamic Reply to 1.e4 e5

What are some openings that I can use that require piece play more than pawn play?

I also don't want to have to memorize too much... I'd rather settle for some kind of equality rather than go into the two knights complex.

kings gambit, italian can be quite dynamic, thereare plenty of dynamic lines after 2.nf3 as well.

The Vienna can be fun, 2 Nc3

The strength of this move, paradoxically, is that it threatens nothing - Tartakover

1.e4 e5 2.f4 or 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 or 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd 3.c3 dxc 4.Bc4 cxb 5.Bb2

1.e4,e5 2.f4,exf4 black gains at least equality.  3.Nf3,d6 4.d4,g5 5.h4,g4 6.Ng1 isn't the type of game white was looking for, and he'll need to fight hard for the draw. 

They are all playable except f4.[ after 1. e4  e5  2. d4  exd4 ]  It is hard to get out of book moves as most everything is book nowadays.

If you are not in "book" then you very probably have made a mistake in the early moves of an opening. 

For piece play  1. e4  e5  2. Nf3  Nc6  3. d4  exd4  5. c3  dxc3  6. Bc4 cxb2 7. Bxb2 Bb4+  8. Nc3  now look at all the pieces which are out and you even have a chance to win with your very good development! 

Uh, that's what he wants.

My too.

e4-e5
d4-ex
c3-dx
Bc4-cx
Bx and the white bishops dominate the board 

Melvin the question was to find an opening where piece play rather than pawn play dominates--after 1. e4  e5 and that is what I gave him. I did not say it was "sound" but it is ok at the level he is playing.  Your idea that White is just dropping pawns is just that-your idea.

Here is a very similar game I played vs a grandmaster at a U S Open

This Danish gambit looks interesting but would I also have to learn the Goring gambit if Black simply declines the second pawn?

Bruce, any opening you choose will require a lot of learning/knowledge.

An opening with mostly piece play can be just as hard or harder than an other type opening.

I would suggest not putting a reqirement on an opening that it requires a lot of piece play and just look for an opening which might suit you.  thechesswebsite can give you information on a lot of openings and give you ideas of what might be suitable for you.

Yes I know theory at the end of the day is unavoidable. However I enjoy positions where I use pieces instead of pawns to make play. I am using the Tarrasch and 1..e5 with the Black pieces and would like to find something similar as White.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I will try either the Danish or the four knights scotch.

I would maby not play this against grandmaster but this opening can be very good because few players study this for black. And it's even better in blitz. If black dosen't play so well his positon can fall down. Black is not two pawns down for nothing. White has open position the bishops are putting pressure on f7 and g7. I see that you have an IM norm and you are definitely better than me in chess but don't exclusion the Danish. Of course I know Nf3 - Nc6 is more common, I play the scotch, the Italian and somtmes the spanish. But it's alwais fun to surprise the opponent with the gambits like the Danish.

There's a formula:

The answer is the rating of the person you ask - 200

Ok pfren, that's your opinion, not mine.

I would say 1800 but of course the question is hard to answer because of the term "truly important"

I agree with Estragon

Goodbye

some fun miniatures:

Here is a video about the Danish. Danish gambit never transpose into the Scotch game. It's just a nother opening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1uZKg5tP_c