When I started playing chess, I was fooling around with the chess pieces when I found 1...c5 to be quite good against White's 1.d4. At that time, I didn't know anything about chess databases, openings or whatever. I was on myself. I even thought I created an opening!
But some time later, when I grew to learn more about chess, I switched to playing 1....Nf6 instead, which has given me more comfortable games (they tend to be soft on the heart, if you know what I mean).
I like 1...c5. Compared to the Benoni, the Old Benoni is much better (the Benoni is 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5, if I am not mistaken), according to my experience. In my opinion, it is thesharpest defense against 1.d4 you'll ever come across. Also, it's quite unexpected (if you are going for the element of surprise/fear, pick the Dutch. Quite a lot of 1.d4 players hate it, or fear it).
Yes, if White takes the pawn, you can cheer. If White defends the pawn, you'll have no problem gaining the advantage. BUT White can play a totally devastating move which can completely, completely, completely, completely turn the tables. And the Staunton Gambit won't be any good.
Yup, it's d5. And it's also the sole reason I turned to 1....Nf6 instead. Check the database. Play against it yourself. The database reecords state (for Master Games) that White wins 44% of the time, with Black winning only 29% of the time. And e5 results in a plummet of Black's chances of winning the game.
Why? Because e5 can force an agressive player into accepting something an agressive player loathes, most. Playing passively. It's inevitable unless you've sat down and spent 8 hours analysing, remembering all the possible lines White can play after your agrresive moves, and find a satisfactory solution against it. The e5 pawn can result in Black being underdeveloped. Therefore, in my opinion, the Staunton Gambit, is a fool's move.
What Black needs to do, as quickly as possible, is to take out the pawn,either by undermining or constant pressure ( some trickery can also work, sometimes...). When I realised this, I realised at the same time that Black might be able to win after all and after 5 months of abandoning the Old Benoni, I was determined that there was a way to overcome the terrifying 2.d5.
This is what I've analysed, after 1 week:
Now, I'm only halfway through. I would also appreciate any help. You can provide ideas or your own lines against 2.d5. You can also point out my mistakes. Anything will do.
Let's take down 2.d5!!
The best way to counter 1.d4 would be benoni gambit or c5 (same thing). I was playing a chessmaster in Harvard Square MA and he told me that black has the c-pawn advantage. He was right. If white takes 2. dxc5... then his d4 would have been a waste since he lost a center pawn. Also it would be hard and pointless to protect the pawn if it took c5. If the person take, do 2. ... e5. This gains the advantage in the center, and your bishop can just take the pawn.
If the person doesn't take 2. d5..., then bring your e pawn to e5 and let the en passant happen. Then take with the f pawn and you have the advantage. If the person protects it with a knight or anything else, you have the options of taking the pawn or bringing out your own pices. Don't be worried if he takes c5 early or later in the game. It will become helpful to you.