Chess Openings

This thread is specifically devoted to discussing openings.

What are your favorite openings? I tend to prefer more fundamental openings that can become complex with multiple variations, such as the Sicillian, Ruy Lopez, and King's Indian Attack or Defense. What do the rest of you prefer?

I tend to prefer 1.e4 (or 1.Nf3 or even 1.b4) since 1.d4 leads to closed game, that can either result in draw of if you force the opening of the position to lose (of course if black doesn't respond with gambits like 1...e5 or Albin). 

I prefer to decline gambits, as I don't like the idea of my opponent having a strategic advantage over me, even if it is not apparent.

How do you decline the King gambit (1.e4 e5 2.f4)?

You decline the King's Gambit with 2...d6 so that White takes, the pawns are traded, and if White doesn't take, the gambit is still declined.

Does this hold also for 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 (playing Black)?

No, what you described leads to another position (see below diagrams for clarification):

Your first diagram isn't King's Gambit, that's with 2.f4

I think the Torre attck is pretty solid and good and can lead to a sharp game. At the same time as the Italian game and Ruy Lopez.  (White)   

For black, I personally think the caro-kann against E4 or the Tartakowers legacy as black against D4 can be very solid and leads to an tactical endgame.