I would go with the Leningrad Dutch because that's just an awesome name.
Don't laugh- why do you think the Sicilian is so popular?
I would go with the Leningrad Dutch because that's just an awesome name.
Don't laugh- why do you think the Sicilian is so popular?
I have the Starting Out: Modern Benoni by Endre Vegh and I have to say its a good book on a good opening.
Recently, I have been interested in both of these openings as responses to 1.d4 but I am having a hard time deciding between them and I need help in picking one. Like what are some pros/cons of each, which one do you personally feel is better/ worth learning, etc. I plan to buy a Starting Out book for the one I choose.
I know I should pick one which suits my style and all and I prefer something which is towards the aggressive, yet solid, side (so no gambits and stuff other than QG as white for me) and both of these openings seem aggressive, yet somewhat solid to me. And both fianchetto the KB which I like to fianchetto as Black lol.
The Dutch isn't solid afaik. Have you considered Grunfeld?
Recently, I have been interested in both of these openings as responses to 1.d4 but I am having a hard time deciding between them and I need help in picking one. Like what are some pros/cons of each, which one do you personally feel is better/ worth learning, etc. I plan to buy a Starting Out book for the one I choose.
I know I should pick one which suits my style and all and I prefer something which is towards the aggressive, yet solid, side (so no gambits and stuff other than QG as white for me) and both of these openings seem aggressive, yet somewhat solid to me. And both fianchetto the KB which I like to fianchetto as Black lol.
The Dutch isn't solid afaik. Have you considered Grunfeld?
Have to disagree that the Dutch isn't solid - the modern Stonewall Dutch with Bd6 is incredibly tough to break down if Black knows what he's doing. But then again, the whole point of the Dutch is to counter attack - similar to the Sicilian. It entirely depends on the type of player you are. I play the Dutch Stonewall against a host of white openings, including 1 Nf3, 1c4, 1 g3, 1 e3 and of course 1 d4, so whilst I had to do a lot of reading, it's paid off in pretty much all the games where White doesn't play 1 e4. I don't know much Benoni or Grufeld theory, but I shouldn't imagine they are nearly as flexible as the Dutch, with probably the same amount of theory. My advice is to play f5 straight away, and don't be afraid of anti-Dutch lines. They can be hair-raising, but they are generally unsound. As long as you book up and keep the faith, you should be fine. I haven't had a single dull game since playing the Dutch, and I've won more times than not. 'Win with the Stonewall Dutch' by Sverre Johnsen and Ivar Bern is an excellent book.
I haven't really considered the Grunfeld due to the amount of theory it has and its something I have never seen before, except occasionally in master games so I tend to shy away from this opening for now, although eventually maybe once I get to 1800 USCF which I am hoping to achieve in 2 more years I may learn it from the white side since I play 1. d4.
I did look at the Stonewall a bit though but I hate how the light sq bishop is just blocked in, which tends to cramp the position a bit.
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Recently, I have been interested in both of these openings as responses to 1.d4 but I am having a hard time deciding between them and I need help in picking one. Like what are some pros/cons of each, which one do you personally feel is better/ worth learning, etc. I plan to buy a Starting Out book for the one I choose.
I know I should pick one which suits my style and all and I prefer something which is towards the aggressive, yet solid, side (so no gambits and stuff other than QG as white for me) and both of these openings seem aggressive, yet somewhat solid to me. And both fianchetto the KB which I like to fianchetto as Black lol.