Hey. I am currently playing in a frame of mind that prefers complex positions that allow for flexibility and tactical flares. As such, I am asking you guys: What is a defense against e4 that creates a very fast-paced, tactical game? I'd like to get a book on the defense and learn it so as to compliment my playing style.

1...e5 allows for a fast pace tactical game.

Shveshnikov sicillian is pretty hair raising....

Pretty much any Sicilian, but the Dragon is probably the most tactical and aggressive try.  Its also been played millions of times so you're going to have to be willing to do a little homework, and accept a few lumps, before you get your guard up and really start fighting with it.

If you're looking for something thats VERY tactical, but many consider just slightly suspect, read up on the Latvian gambit.  If white isn't familiar with it its disturbing to say the least.  Its played alot in correspondence and horrific situations arise.  Check it out.

pvmike . . . e5 allows for a highly tactical game . . . for WHITE! I mean, Black has a decent game a fair amount of the time, but seriously, e5 strongly favors the aggressor.

d4 has actually been doing a little better than e4 of late because of the Sicilian Defense (1. e4  c5) and its many, many variants.

1. The Sicilian creates an asymmetrical position that doesn't necessarily favor either color, and because both colors have strengths and weaknesses in their position, it will come down to play-skill to determine the winner of the game.

2. c5 allows White strong central presence and a rapid development of his pieces. However, it comes at the cost of losing one of his central pawns. Black should be able to put up a decent fight for the center with his e-pawn and d-pawn both intact.

3. c5 allows Black to fight for the win. e5 results more often in a draw for Black (and granted, there's nothing wrong whatsoever with being able to draw the game as Black) than an actual win. Because the position is relatively symmetrical, White retains his initial tempo advantage deep into the game, thus giving him the power to win or draw the vast majority of the games that start off with 1. e4 and e5.

The Sicilian does have its weaknesses. White develops very rapidly, and Black may be prone to a quick attack if he doesn't respond properly. But all in all, there's a reason why the vast majority of grandmasters, and tons of other players for that matter, choose to respond to e4 with the Sicilian Defense. If you're looking for a tactical game that allows your play-skill to shine against one of the best openings in the history of the game for White, then the Sicilian Game is definitely for you.

Hope this helps Ajfonty :)

brandonqdsh, black gets plenty of tactical chances after 1.e4 e5, I can't think of a single king pawn opening where black doesn't have any attacking chances or tactical play.

you really shouldn't try to be that complex til you are higher rated and understand most stuff like french caro kahn scandiavian ruylopez

I'd have to agree with many of the sentiments expressed by others that most lines of the Sicilian will give you strong tactical chances. Personally, if you want, as you mentioned, flexibility and tactical flares, the Accelerated Dragon simply rocks (I'm not talking about the Sicilian Dragon proper).  I can't speak for 1.e4 e5 as I've honestly never played it as black. But as with just about any Sicilian, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the opening ideas, yet you won't need to commit a bunch of critical lines to memory like you'd practically need to do to play the Dragon. Also, keep in mind that white has many options at hand too in terms of trying to snuff out a tactical game in favor of a positional game, such as closed sicilians, the c3 sicilian, etc. Have fun exploring!

The hypermodern haters wish it wasn't so (and often pretend otherwise) but 1...g6 is black's second best response to 1.e4.  It's played less frequently than 1...c5 so naturally there's no where near as much theory.  It's an opening that tends to evoke strong feelings.  You'll either love it and swear by it or hate it and curse it.

Scandanavian defense is one that no-one ever plays.

Anand played the Scandanavian against Kasparov.

2nd best?  You rate the modern above the sicilian?

No, that's why I said that 1...g6 is statistically black's second best response to e4.  The first is, of course, 1...c5 but the numbers are very, very close.  Much closer than most people realize.

I would have to say 1...e5 is at least equal to 1...c5 and 1...g6 if not better.

the french is great. Black often ends up with a better center eventually and therefore can sometimes launch powerful counterattacks.

It does seem as if that should be the case but the statistics show otherwise.  Here's the breakdown as seen in Game Explorer when looking at Masters Games.

As you can see, e5 is the second most popular choice but it doesn't perform nearly as well as g6.  Granted, there are far fewer g6 games but I reckon that a 50k sample is large enough to make a powerful statement.  Not only is it close to the Sicilian but it's substantially better than e5 and other more popular responses. 

I'm not saying g6 is unsound but I still think 1...e5 is just as sound. I think one reason 1...g6 looks better according to statistics, is it not played as much so white would be less prepare for it. The main difference between 1.e4 e5 1.e4 g6 is your style of play. I respond to 1.e4 with e5 because I want to fight for control in the center directly and develope my pieces quickly. As far which opening leads to a fast pace tactical game think 1...e5 almost always leads to this type of game.  

1...d6!

does anyone think that those statistics may be biased as many beginners tend to play 1...e5.