My standard reply is the Old Benoni, 1.d4 c5. It's not commonly seen at the top levels, but at our levels it should be fine.
EDIT: I should stipulate that it hasn't been used much at the top levels *recently* by any top-teir players. It has been used a lot by numerous GMs, especially in the pre-computer era.
The old tested Queen's Gambit is everything you want.It has lot of defenses to choose from (I would advise you to start from Tartkower's or Lasker's) , it is rich in strategic ideas and will help you understand chess better.
Dutch!
There's also d6 and g6.
Albins counter gambit
I have recently started playing the Stonewall Dutch. I did play the Tarrasch for a few games as well with pretty good success. My results with the Dutch though: 2W; 1L; 1D. This is a record without even studying the theory behind the moves.
Perhaps if the OP could reply with some thoughts on these suggestions, we might be able to help them further.
I usually play either Nimzo-Indian or Bogo-Indian depending on what white does. I have dabbled with the Modern Benoni too. Specifically what I'm looking for is if there is an opening in which regularly gives rise to a clear chance to make a pawn storm attack in the middle game.
whenever you someone plays 1. d4 you should abort.
@SchachMatt: It's for an OTB game in my local club so aborting could be difficult!
Maybe when he plays 1.d4 I could throw something at the ground which would cause a loud bang and a cloud of smoke, then when the smoke clears I'd be gone!!
@AidoG
If you ever successfully do that, please let me know your method. I have always wanted to pull that off....
Joe - I can't reply to you PM as it says you've got me blocked?!?
PS: next round of knockout is Tues coming
Jesus played the QGA. True story.
I reccomend something along the lines of a benoni/benko gambit
Modern Benoni, check out the games of Tal, Fischer, and more recently Gashimov for top notch middlegame play.
If play French as well, then since already play BogoIndian\Nimzo 1.d4 e6 2. c4 Bb4ch chould be useful for transposition tricks. For example after 3Nc3 c5 still have a position with Nimzo themes, but he is not able to play safe Qc2 classical lines. Alternatively after the supposed best 3Bd2 can play 3...BxB 4QxB Nf6 transposing to very solid Bogo line. More ambitiously can play 4...f5 with dutch structure or 3...a5 still aiming for Bogo structure but aiming for early d6 and e5 where gain from delaying Nf6. In 3...a5 line white can try to benefict from no Nf6 playing e4. Immediate 4e4 then d5 fine for black.
I'm looking for a response to 1.d4 but it needs to involve a pawn advance by black... any suggestions??