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Beginner: Choosing opening line to learn against 1. d4

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SimonWebbsTiger
SimonWebbsTiger
Apr 13, 2012
0
#41

strange interpretation of the Dutch Stonewall emerging here. Whatever happened to Bf8-d6 and ..b7-b6, Bc8-b7 and an eventual ...c6-c5!?

Anyway, 1.d4 d5 and a variety of the Queen's Gambit lines will stand the OP in good stead for a long time to come and help improve his chess quicker.

Courtney-P
Courtney-P
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Apr 14, 2012
0
#42

I've got a few games going in online chess now with the 1. d4 d5 Tarrasch Defense.  I like the Tarrasch quite a bit.  Black's bishops are very active and using the IQP is very fun.

In my first game with alexlaw I dropped the Queen pawn early on, which he immediately pointed out so thank you Alex.  It made me realize the importance of protecting that IQP.   

An equal and fairly open position is available with correct play from black.

If white makes a blunder or mistake black has many attacking peices with good lines available to capitalize.  And I will also add it worked well in a live game against a Colle opening by white, as the 3.. c5 pawn push completely throws a Colle player.  I've played the Colle a few times and always dreaded the c5 move by black if the attack on e4 is not ready..

bresando
bresando
Apr 15, 2012
0
#43

I'm happy you like it :) against 2.e3 you can even skip 2...e6 and play 2...c5 immediately, keeping open the option of developing the LSbishop outside the pawn chain!

grant_obama
grant_obama
Apr 18, 2012
0
#44

If you're a beginner trying to look for weapons against 1. d4, don't try complicated theory openings. First off I do NOT recommend the Dutch as there are many pet lines against it; you must know your lines perfectly to play this. Playing the Semi-slav is fine if you are patient and positional while the Tarrasch is a good option if you are dynamic and willing to play with an IQP. I'd partially recommend the Indian defenses. The Kings indian I don't recommend because it has bookloads of theory but the Queens indian and Nimzo indian are very playable and offer good chances. The Gruenfeld is also fine, too. 

helltank
helltank
Apr 19, 2012
0
#45

The Tarrasch Defence, Queen's Indian Defence and Old Indian are solid lines against d4 that internet players don't study, thus giving you an adventage.

CHCL
CHCL
Apr 19, 2012
0
#46
Chess4001 wrote:

If you're a beginner trying to look for weapons against 1. d4, don't try complicated theory openings. First off I do NOT recommend the Dutch as there are many pet lines against it; you must know your lines perfectly to play this. Playing the Semi-slav is fine if you are patient and positional while the Tarrasch is a good option if you are dynamic and willing to play with an IQP. I'd partially recommend the Indian defenses. The Kings indian I don't recommend because it has bookloads of theory but the Queens indian and Nimzo indian are very playable and offer good chances. The Gruenfeld is also fine, too. 

The lines you recomend are loaded with Tons of theory. Just play openings that fit your style and stick with them.

ori0
ori0
Apr 20, 2012
0
#47
Estragon wrote:

Save yourself a lot of time and frustration.  If you don't learn to play the 1 d4 d5 positions first, you will struggle in your development. 

The Dutch and King's Indian are perfectly fine defenses, but you cannot hope to truly understand what is going on, the logic behind these alternatives, until you experience the pluses and minuses of Black's side of the QGD.  If you want to improve your game, you need to learn the basics first, and the more complex later.

You don't study calculus before you've learned algebra.

Definitely correct.I hope you take Estragons advice.

Courtney-P
Courtney-P
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Apr 20, 2012
0
#48

To Helltank, CHCL, Estragon and ori0:

I've gone with the Tarrasch and really like it.  The IQP positions are really outstanding for my style of play and I have won 10 of the last 12 games with it as black.  I'm going to play a dozen or so more games with it against 1.d4 and then explore some of the French variations that transpose into it.

CHCL
CHCL
Apr 20, 2012
0
#49

@satxusa, glad to hear it is working for you.

CHCL
CHCL
Apr 20, 2012
0
#50

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarrasch_Defense       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_Gambit

CHCL
CHCL
Apr 20, 2012
0
#51

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/explorer?node=1142174&move=4&moves=d4.d5.c4.e6.Nc3.c5&nodes=10703.75972.75973.75974.241699.1142174

jambyvedar
jambyvedar
Apr 20, 2012
0
#52
Chess4001 wrote:

If you're a beginner trying to look for weapons against 1. d4, don't try complicated theory openings. First off I do NOT recommend the Dutch as there are many pet lines against it; you must know your lines perfectly to play this. Playing the Semi-slav is fine if you are patient and positional while the Tarrasch is a good option if you are dynamic and willing to play with an IQP. I'd partially recommend the Indian defenses. The Kings indian I don't recommend because it has bookloads of theory but the Queens indian and Nimzo indian are very playable and offer good chances. The Gruenfeld is also fine, too. 

Semi slav might not be appropriate for begginer, in semi slav there is the reynolds attack, shabalov attack,the d5, e5 and a4 lines vs meran, opponent might also play Bg5 where you can choose moscow or go to botvinnik system

GhostNight
GhostNight
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Apr 21, 2012
0
#53

OK, you are happy with an opening you are trying out, but being a diamond member please go to the chess videos and look at the the three "stonewall" videos, that can really tie up an over aggressive player.