Forums

Solid white opening?

Sort:
AtahanT

I've been playing caro-kann and slav defense as black and it seems they are working out well for me compared to other black openings I have tried. Right now I'm playing the London as white because it is similar to the slav/caro. It has been working out fairly ok but I still I would like to have an alternative to it that is more "normal" and probably more sound. I'm thinking queens gambit but what to do against the 1. ... Nf6 responses? What is a solid way to meet 1. d4 Nf6? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

wbbaxterbones

Here are some lines against the KID and then the Nimzo.
eaglex

also you should look at benoni, mexican defense, and budapest gambit

wbbaxterbones

You can use the game explorer for raw moves. It has a great database.

AtahanT

Thanks for all the answers.

1. I'm not sure about playing the nimzo-indian really. It is not my idea of a solid opening for white. I mean it quickly blows up the c and d files.. Don't get me wrong, I can play open positions and as a matter of fact I started out as a 1. e4 player + sicilian as black but I've lately come to the conlcusion that I am simply winning more games with solid openings then I do with more risky alternatives.

2. I'm looking for a white opening. Budapest gambit is not a white opening is it?

3. The colle system seems like a good alternative. Would you recommend the colle-zukertort (b3) variation (which to me looks more intresting) over the c3 variation?

EuropeanSon

I play the Caro-Kann and Slav as black, and the English as white.

xie1995

I suggest the fianchetto variation (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3)

It generally leads to drawish positions where white has an edge on space.

Tnk64ChessCourse

I recommend the Stonewall attack for a solid, easy to learn system. Black will have to know what he is doing to avoid getting mated.

LavaRook

As a 1. d4 player, The Queen's Gambit would be a good way to go- much better than the London or Colle imo.

Against King's Indian, I suggest the Classical Variation while against the Nimzo, I suggest playing Qc2 after Bb4 although e3 is fine too.

For the Benoni Defense, I just push d4-d5 and use general principles mainly. However for this "semi-common" opening I suggest use a database like the one here or Chessbase 9 to figure out what you should do and why you should do that.

Against the Budapest, use general principles and remember the first few lines. I actually have never faced this opening and so even I don't quite know what to do either but from what I have heard of gambits, give the pawn back at the right time and you should be ok.

Against the Dutch, also use general principles and remember to fianchetto your KB.

Summary: Learn the more common replies (including vs Benoni) to 1. d4, 2. c4 first and general principles for the other.

wango

You could aim for Queen's Gambit games and learn the Trompowsky for any 1...Nf6 responses you get.

AtahanT
wango wrote:

You could aim for Queen's Gambit games and learn the Trompowsky for any 1...Nf6 responses you get.


Intresting, I thought about this too. Can you recommend any books on these two?

Tnk64ChessCourse
eaglex wrote:

also you should look at benoni, mexican defense, and budapest gambit


Why should one study atypical responses 1. d4. Surely you must learn the Gruenfeld before any of those 3.

AtahanT
FirebrandX wrote:

If you want a solid white repertoire without studying all the d4+c4 openings, I'd suggest looking at every game played on the white side by GM Mark Hebden. He's made a career out of d-pawn special openings.


How about the catalan, looks solid.

DrizztD

Torre Attack! It's SUPER easy to learn, and it's a really solid opening (though I must admit, once you've played it a lot, you may find yourself getting bored with it)

LavaRook

The minor d4 opening systems (no c4) aren't really that great compared to the major ones with 2. c4. Eventually, you will have to move to these anyways so why not begin learning d4 (d5 or Nf6) 2. c4 now? A lot of the Indian Systems+ Benoni have something in common anyways, black trying to undermine white's center. In the minor d4 systems you may even find yourself struggling for equality. 

wango
AtahanT wrote:
wango wrote:

You could aim for Queen's Gambit games and learn the Trompowsky for any 1...Nf6 responses you get.


Intresting, I thought about this too. Can you recommend any books on these two?


Peter Wells wrote, Winning with the Trompowsky back in 2002 (I believe) which is considered the best book on the subject.  Everyman has a Starting Out book about the Trompowsky, buy you may have to hurry, it appears as if they are not printing anymore of these; all of the copies on Amazon are for sale from third party vendors.


If you want a copy of Well's book, try the USCF website, although I don't know if they ship to Sweden.  It is otherwise out of print and folks with copies to sell get kind of crazy with their pricing.  If you're ever in the states I know where you can buy a copy if you're in New York City or in Miami, Fla.

jdog0214

This helped very much because I have a tournament coming up!!