Try 1...e6 which can to transpose in french defence or after 2.c4 Nf6 to catalan nimzo indian or even bogo indian.Also with 1. ..e6 you may also have a QGD game...or a semi slav
Black's best response to d4?
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Mar 6, 2013
0
#83
leningrad dutch with black response to d4- f5 then g6 and placeing the black bishop at g7 - aggresive and unexpected
For me 1. d4 c5, is better.
"blacks best response to d4?"
may as well ask:
"what is your favourite response to d4?"
Almost no one gives objective recommendations.
Im not 100% up to date on cutting edge theory, but I believe blacks best tries to equalise in the mainline atm are the Nimzo, semi slav and Grunfeld (current status of exchange lines??). The QGD can also be thrown in as solid, but I think white can turn out an edge in the exchange lines, and maybe the mainline (?)
Sep 30, 2014
0
#86
The answer is very much a personal preference. I enjoy playing the Dutch, but Kings Indian and the Gruenfeld are fun too. It really is more about playing your best and not winning unless your a professional trying to make a living.
789321 wrote:
The answer is very much a personal preference. I enjoy playing the Dutch, but Kings Indian and the Gruenfeld are fun too. It really is more about playing your best and not winning unless your a professional trying to make a living.
Not really. ''Black's best response'' can be quantified. It only becomes personal preference between a few openings which qualify as black's best tries.
Below professional level it's true almost anything can be played, and that is personal preference. But just because someone prefers a dutch over a nimzo indian does not make the dutch an equally good opening against d4.
GodIike wrote:
Not really. ''Black's best response'' can be quantified. It only becomes personal preference between a few openings which qualify as black's best tries.
Below professional level it's true almost anything can be played, and that is personal preference. But just because someone prefers a dutch over a nimzo indian does not make the dutch an equally good opening against d4.
That depends what you mean by "best". If you mean best in a theoretical sense, having studied all top-level computer analysis in detail, then what you say is probably correct.
But to any sub-2700 player this definition of "best" isn't particularly useful or helpful. I regard the "best" move as the one most likely to win the game.
Oct 1, 2014
0
#90
OH what a horrible thought that there is ONE best answer. That's far from the pleasure we get from muddling through a game surely?!
'Best' in terms of what? Scoring a point is only one of the reasons we play chess...;)
Even that very scienfic statistical definition will give you an answer that is temporal. Constantly changing as new ideas arrive, top players adopt different openings etc.
Oct 2, 2014
0
#92
It's a classic garbage in, garbage out question, but if black is happy playing the French 1...e6 gives quite a lot of extra options for black. Some transpositional, and other completely independent lines.
Not sure would view ICCF games as the source of best opening play. The hardware, and software being used will have a much bigger affect on result of games, than the choice on move one. In a sharp, concrete lines, like Nadjorf, software can refute certain lines. On other hand don't think software will tell you very much about Berlin endgames, and what Carlsen is playing there, is likely to be more important.
I like d5
Feb 19, 2025
0
#94
e5 2. dxe5 f6 is the Soller Gambit. It sets up a sneaky checkmate attack so i would recommend😊
Personally, I always respond by either e6, c6or g6.
If you're looking to disrupt preparation, g6 is easy. It's also good because then you only need to learn one opening, because g3 with white has similar pawn structures and very similar strategies.
If you have no preparation, e6 is the easiest to play
Equally possible is the Dutch:
d4 f5!
Almost nobody prepares vs the Dutch, but as Yusupov and Nigel Short proved, it isn't unsound
If you want to prepare the Dutch, go for the Modern Stonewall
Have fun