Philidor's defence
Best equalizing defense against e4
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mprhchess wrote:
rich wrote:
Scandinavian defence/ Sicillian defence Nimzowitsch variation.
really? These seem to play for an edge, especially the scandanavian.
Scandinavian depends on how Black plays it. 2. ... Nf6 and 2. ... Qxd5 with 3. ... Qd6 are about active counterplay with pieces. But the traditional main line of 2. ... Qxd5 with 3. ... Qa5 is very much like the solid lines of the Caro-Kann with 3. Nc3.
No one has mentioned the Rubinstein French. Very solid defense to 1. e4 which covers both 3. Nc3 and 3. Nd2.
chuckg99 wrote:
While the Petroff's is a great option against 2. Nf3, black would still be on the hook for replies against such moves as 2. f4, 2. d4 and 2. Nc3, not to mention the assorted intricacies of the Four Knights opening. I could vote for the Caro-Kann or even something like the Alekhine, which also offers great practical chances.
There are unusual White second moves versus the Caro-Kann too.
Think of it as the Petroff Variation of the 1. ... e5 defense. It's just an accident of history that 1. ... e5 was popular first so that Petroff Defense, Evan's Gambit, and Hungarian Defense are "openings" but Closed Sicillian, Najdorf, and Dragon are "variations".
The hippo defense is also great
timeless_thoughts wrote:
The hippo defense is also great
yes but it does far from equalizing. More like passivity.
dpruess wrote:
i don't know what the capablanca variations is, i confess. but as far as i know 3.ed and 3.nc3 give white an edge, and in particular 3.nc3 is not so much fun to play against as black.
I think the reverse is true. Caro players are happy to see 3.Nc3 because that's the 'mainline' and where most of their opening study will have gone.
mprhchess wrote:
timeless_thoughts wrote:
The hippo defense is also great
yes but it does far from equalizing. More like passivity.
I'm a passive player most of the time
Feb 11, 2010
0
#29
marvellosity wrote:
dpruess wrote:
i don't know what the capablanca variations is, i confess. but as far as i know 3.ed and 3.nc3 give white an edge, and in particular 3.nc3 is not so much fun to play against as black.
I think the reverse is true. Caro players are happy to see 3.Nc3 because that's the 'mainline' and where most of their opening study will have gone.
This is just two sides of the same coin. Yes, a Caro-Kann player has to be prepared for 3.Nc3, just because it is the main line. But of course just because they are prepared doesn't mean that it is ok for black. I can speak for my level though. When my opponent is rated under 2300, I've had great results with the Caro-Kann main line. I play the Smyslov variation with 4... Nd7. I think if I spent a lot of time, with a coach, I would probably settle on the Ruy Lopez as a better weapon with black. I don't know which sub-variation, but it is such a rich opening. Luckily for me, my goal is only to get to 2300 FIDE and the FM title. :-)
Feb 11, 2010
0
#30
Absolute_Fear wrote:
dpruess wrote:
i don't know what the capablanca variations is, i confess. but as far as i know 3.ed and 3.nc3 give white an edge, and in particular 3.nc3 is not so much fun to play against as black.
I thought the Main line Karpov variation was still close to equal for black? Is this not the case?
In the world of the Caro-Kann players, an "equal" position is really just the same as "slightly worse in space with no structural weaknesses". But of course that is not the same thing as "equal".
Feb 11, 2010
0
#31
Why not just play 1.e4 Nf6 on move 1 and surprise him earlier?
Tell that to Spaasky.
RainbowRising wrote:
Spaasky, e5 is winning!
Spassky challenges you to a thematic Alekhines Defense match.
:)
World Champion
(higher than yours)
I don't think Spassky played the Alekhine often. Fischer played it a few times. (Including 2 games against Spassky.)
And of course, Alekhine did, although it wasn't his main defence to 1.e4.
mprhchess wrote:
World Champion
(higher than yours)
That pretty much wins.
I'd suggest 1. e4 Nc6 as quite handy (the Nimzowitsch Defence) as it is not only surprising, but has enterprising and sharp ideas for black that can quickly crush white or lead to some sort of equality.
It can also improve (in my opinion) on the Scandinavian with its own Scandinavian variation, offering better defensive and offensive capabilities:
1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d5
Although, as many others have said, the most conventional try would be the Petroff. The Nimzowitsch is crazy and a sea of unexplored possibilities!
Definitely the caro kann 1...c6
sicilian kan
FlyingLizard wrote:
mprhchess wrote:
World Champion
(higher than yours)
That pretty much wins.
I'd suggest 1. e4 Nc6 as quite handy (the Nimzowitsch Defence) as it is not only surprising, but has enterprising and sharp ideas for black that can quickly crush white or lead to some sort of equality.
It can also improve (in my opinion) on the Scandinavian with its own Scandinavian variation, offering better defensive and offensive capabilities:
1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d5
Although, as many others have said, the most conventional try would be the Petroff. The Nimzowitsch is crazy and a sea of unexplored possibilities!
The Nimzowitsch is interesting, but I dont think it equalizes without some inaccuracies by white.
Scandinavian defence/ Sicillian defence Nimzowitsch variation.
really? These seem to play for an edge, especially the scandanavian.