What is the BEST opening for black across all levels?

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GM_Katsu

What is the best opening for Black across all levels?

What do you guys think? Me personally I have been playing strictly e5 against e4 for the past 300 elo but I have really got into the Caro-Kann. Personally I believe Caro Kann is probably the best opening for black across all levels from 500 - 2800.

What are your thoughts?

GrubbyViper382

Thank you, I have been studying the caro for a while, right now I’m learning the advanced caro and I love it, I always play that against e4

GM_Katsu

Right now I have been playing more solid openings as black for a long time but I need to get myself more comfortable in those kinds of positions that the caro provides. I feel like that might be my one way ticket to 2100

Knightwrath1

are we talking about a response to e4? If not, I really like the Englund Gambit as a response to d4. I realize it doesn't fully stand up at the higher levels, but I think it holds up more than people give it credit for. Even if your opponent knows all of the theory, it is still definitely possible to have a strong attack. Worst case scenario, you can still always have a fun attacking game.

actual_knight_gaming
Knightwrath1 wrote:

are we talking about a response to e4? If not, I really like the Englund Gambit as a response to d4. I realize it doesn't fully stand up at the higher levels, but I think it holds up more than people give it credit for. Even if your opponent knows all of the theory, it is still definitely possible to have a strong attack. Worst case scenario, you can still always have a fun attacking game.

I think it's too easily refuted.

If your opponent knows the lines well, they just win. Also, you literally just lose a centre pawn for nothing. How is that even a gambit???

Knightwrath1

True, if both sides play perfectly white is definitely winning. Still, most of the time for >1500 rated players that wont be the case.

Plus, once you start playing it regularly, you get to know it enough to have something prepared for whatever your opponent will play

I can honestly say that I have faced more people who premove a London and lose a bishop then people who know all the theory

GrubbyViper382

So like not a great representation of the caro (I don’t win a lot with it that’s why I’m studying it) https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/94021330893?tab=review but this is why I love it

JcK0077

C5 simple defense and the modern defense is a very well played opening for black

GM_Katsu

Sicilian is a great contender definitely but there are so many different variations its hard to group the Sicilian as a single opening.