I'm 35 years old, it's about time I started to play boring openings. Solid stuff, looking to equalize first as black, no unnecessary risks. So recently in online chess here, I played my first Caro-Kann and my first QGD as black.

With the expected result both times: white never had any threat and black won easily and quickly. I admit that the C-K game does look a bit risky, but I'm still learning this stuff...

Well, the Caro-Kann does have a drawish reputation, but feel free to join the Caro-Kann lovers, and I will help you in it

I joined it during that game, thanks :-)

Re-reading my post, it seems as if I wanted to brag. That wasn't my intention. I just wanted to post a counterpoint to the people who think equal position = draw.

Well, funny as it is, I am the same age as you, and I look forward to learning and playing some new and dynamic openings, since I've been playing the "boring" ones all my life (e.g., with QCD I've had a decent success, but against stronger and competent players it's harder to get to anywhere beyond equalizing and drawing -- since these days I like to play every game to win ). So I am looking at the more ambitious and sharp Slav Defense as black, for example.

I thought it'd be interesting if I shared this alternative perspective on age vs. preferences.

BTW, that 22...Nh3+ idea in the QCD game was quite nice -- I didn't initially see it.  Maybe there are things I still need to learn as tips and tricks in QCD, after all.

I'm in a tournament now where I think I need half a point against the current 2nd place to win (he beat me with the black pieces).  There are lot of other games left to be played, so maybe I should go for the full point, but I think I will try the CK to at least avoid losing to him twice.

Petroffs is really dull, but solid, it's good if you're just trying to equalize and not attempt anything 'fancy'.

I disagree about the petroff, Im learning the petroff on advice from my coach and it can be boring and solid but only if white chooses certain lines, white can elect to go into much sharper lines if he chooses.

It's funny that people often think that quiet, positinal opening = quiet draw. Yet, I've noticed that when you play something really sharp the result (especially against a well prepared opponent) occasionaly is a quick draw and the game might for example end with a perpetual check. When you play something more quiet there normaly won't be this kind of forced drawing lines and you at least get the chance to test your opponent for a long time in an ending.