Hello wonderful forum's community. I'm Dan, and I am asking for some advice. I have played 1.e4 for almost a year now, and also replied to 1.e4 with 1...e5. My goal was to learn the Ruy Lopez. I think I have a grasp on that. I am now looking to learn defenses to both 1.e4 and 1.d4. Against 1.e4 I am thinking about either the petrov (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6) and the alekhine (1.e4 Nf6). My question is what are the ideas behind either of these?

also What would a good defense against 1.d4 with the best drawing chances? QGA?

Thanks in advance.

I am not sure about either of those defences, I think you would do better to keep playing e5 in response to e4. For d4 I like playing the Slav defence.

You have to ask yourself whether your aim is to learn the game of chess or to play a game of chess.

If the former, then the Petroff and Alekhine's Defense aren't great options at your (our) level because you'll never see more than a few moves of theory thus not really getting a good grasp of the opening. With 1...e5 or 1...c5 on the other hand, you'll often find yourself in a main tabiya of the closed Ruy Lopez or Open Sicilian easily enough, and playing those openings will do much more for your chess development at this stage than playing something distinctly hypermodern like the Alekhine.

If the latter...fine...play the Alekhine, Petroff, Modern, Scandinavian...whatever you want...it's a game of chess

As for a d4 defence with the best drawing chances...why on earth are you even thinking of playing for a draw at this level ?! Just play 

As I have said I play 1.e4 always when I'm white. I have for over a year. I have alot of experience in both the open and closed ruy and the sicilian. I also played 1..e5 as pblack until recently.

As for drawing against 1.d4, At my level I feel that playing for a draw will increase my opponents chances of a blunder by trying to force an attack. It is a learning process for me. I always want to win and therefor try to win when I should just draw, therfor I make a mistake and end up losing.

My cor rating is 1400+ and I feel I have a decent grasp on tactics. I studied endgames when I first got serious about chess. the only thing left is openings. I also want learn to evaluate a position as drawn, and not try to force things.

I absolutely love the Alekhine, but i am now convinced that nobody rated less than 2000 elo (this includes me) should play it as a main defense. In my view you should better continue with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 until you reach a much higher level.

I also think that the approach you are describing for countering 1.d4 will bling you poor results and most notably slow improvements. Patzers like me and you should focus on playing active chess, regardless of being W or B.