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jdilley
I've been playing the Ruy Lopez as White since I started chess. but am finding that my results with it pale in comparison to my results as black. I play the caro-kann and semi-slav exclusively as black. Can anyone suggest a better white opening that follows those styles?
tornadofdoom
Don't quote me on this, but I would say go exclusively for 1.d4 if you want to avoid e4-e5.
master_in_panama
if you dont like the ruy, try the Italian ;) Its pretty similar, only that it gives white better attacking chances.
rooperi
Play the Vienna, 2 Nc3
Conquistador
I find it difficult in the Vienna to generate counterplay. Most variations are quite boring actually. It is way too easy to equalize as black.
SerbianChessStar
I been an e4 player all my life (well the 2 years i played chess), last week i switched to d4 because i was tired playing against sicilian.. and i love d4!!! try it :)
zomgep
well this doesnt really fit the styles of caro kann and semi slav but i think the italian game is a good style :) also majority of the time you just need to know two knights (pretty aggressive) and the evens gambit (my favorite)
NM OmarCayenne
Yep, if you liked the C-K, you oughta like d4. Plus you'll already know something about it with your Semi-Slav experience.
Ricky_James_Fischer
Well 1.Nf3 is one of the most underated openings but one of the most useful. You can transpose to 7-10 different chess openings from 1.Nf3 including the sicilian! And if are in the mood for a quieter game, u can go for 2.c4, the english
Scarblac
Aren't C-K and Semi-Slav complete opposites anyway?
Anyway, go like Kasparov and Carlsen -- try the Scotch.
Paranoid-Android
Well 1.Nf3 is one of the most underated openings but one of the most useful.
I've also become fan of Nf3, I was playing only e4 and d4 at first, but some time ago I switched to playing Nf3 exclusively. I find the positions much more interesting and fun to play, pretty much every game can go in to unfamiliar positions (which is a nice change from playing d4).
justjoshin
1.f4!
maybe try out bird's opening.
chesscrazee
the torre attack is the best option
Spiffe
Yep, this is good advice.
DastardlyFiend
I don't know... I'm not a good player or anything, but whenever my opponent plays 1.Nf3, it's like he/she is telling me, "you decide what kind of game we're going to play."
As a Ruy player, I can't suggest it. It sounds like you dig traditional stuff too much to really risk using the Bird. It's been my favorite opening for a year or so now, though. If you've never tried it, underestimated it, etc., it's really not as "unsound" as people would have you believe... I will agree that you have to know what you're doing though - it's like playing with fire.
But, at least you're playing to win!
RainbowRising
That feels so bizzare to me. I play the Caro-Kann vs e4 as black, and I hate playing d4 as white.
I find, however, that I do not understand the positions as quickly as in the Ruy. Clearly due to lack of exposure.
What is the best way of learning this opening?
Elubas
Based on what you play, I would guess 1 d4 would be good. But do you play the ruy with intentions for attacking or to gain an edge, or just because it's considered the best opening?
pskogli
play both, 50% d4 and 50% e4, don't get stuck!
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