Changing My Opening

Ever since I was an 800, I've been playing the same moves over and over.  

I think it's made me *gasp* bored of chess. However, for some reason, I've suddenly gained interest again. Currently, I'm a 1950 rated USCF player, but due to my former lack of interest, I have been going down and down the ladder. If I keep going like this, I know I'll hit my floor.

However, now that I've gained interest again I'd like to re-train myself and learn some new openings. Considering I've been playing the Sicilian Dragon, Maroczy Bind, and Friend Liver 90% of my chess life, I'd like something to be changed. I know that change is not always a good thing, but right now I think it'll help me.  

What do you suggest I play as an opening? I am an agressive, tactical player who wants sharp openings (but not too sharp). I mainly play 30 minute:30 minute or 1 hour:1 hour games. I'd also like to play an opening that is unique and not many people play. I would rather not play a gambit (e.g. give up a pawn)

Things I'd like you to suggest:

1. Opening Response of d4 (black)

2. Opening Response of c4 (black)

3. Opening Response of e4 (black)

4. Opening Response of Polish (black)

5. What opening you think I should play as white. If I don't like it, I probably will stop playing it, so feel free to say as many openings as you like (without over-doing it :D)

Thanks. Hope I get some good responses from this helpful comunity. It would be great if you could provide me with some database games, but that's easy to look for so it's okay if you don't too.

What is your style? Do you enjoy agressive, attacking chess or slower, more positional chess?

O wow, I am quite sorry, I skimmed your post and missed vital information!

Here are my reccomendations:

1. I think you should play the Modern Benoni ( 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6.)  against 1. d4. It is sharp and leads to very exciting chess!

2. I reccommend 1... Nf6 against 1. c4. You may transpose into a Benoni!

3. I reccommend the Sicilian Najdorf (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6) It is sharp and is also positionally motivated. The only scary part is all the theory!

4. Why the Polish? Its so uncommon! Well, anyway, I reccommend 1. b4 d5 2. Bb2 Qd6!? 3. a3 e5. Its very good!

5. Finally, I reccomend 1. e4 for you. Against 1... e5, I say stick with the Italian Game ( you said Fried Liver, which is a branch!) Against 1... c5, stick with the Open, as its most agressive! Against 1... e6, go with the Classical (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3), and the Same against the Caro- Kann. Against 1... Nf6, (my favorite!), I think you should try 2. Bc4!? (2... Nxe4 3. Bxf7+ Kxf7 4. Qh5+ Kg8 Qd5+ wins the peice back)

OK, who am I to suggest anything to someone rated 400 points higher than me. But here's my idea: find a Top 100 GM whose style you like and adopt his repertoire, or at least the main elements of it. Just an idea.

1. Opening Response of d4 (black)

Benoni(1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5)

2. Opening Response of c4 (black)

Anglo-Dutch Defense (1.c4 f5) or if you're really aggresive: 1.c4 g5!?

3. Opening Response of e4 (black)

Alekhine (1.e4 Nf6) sharp but not dubious.

4. Opening Response of Polish (black)

Standard reply: 1.b4 e5 2.Bb2 Bxb4 3.Bxe5

5. What opening you think I should play as white. If I don't like it, I probably will stop playing it, so feel free to say as many openings as you like (without over-doing it :D)

Grand Prix Attack, Italian Game, Bird's Opening

But c'mon, you call yourself an aggresive player but would rather avoid gambits? Seriously...

1. The King's Indian...aggressive, sound, and easy to learn. 

2. Play a dragon in reversed with e5, Nf6 and d5. You should be familiar with the themes since you've played the dragon for so long.

3. Try switching to a different sicilian.

4. I like the mainline with e5 and Bxb4 followed by Nf6, 0-0, and Re8 with good central play and easy development. Black equalizes pretty easily in this line but there is some theory to learn.

5.You're already an e4 player, so why not start playing more mainline stuff? e4 is an ocean of theory to learn so I would slowely add more theoretical mainlines to your existing repertoire.

1. Opening Response of d4 (black)

Although I realize you said you'd prefer not to play gambits, I'd definately recommend the Benko gambit. (1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 b5) It's sound, aggressive, and you definately get more than enough compensation for the pawn. Otherwise, I too would recommend the modern benoni. (Have a look at the Leningrad Dutch too)

2. Opening Response of c4 (black)

Try the Jaenisch Gambit if you decide you are willing to "test" a couple gambits. You can read about it here:

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-openings/jaenisch-gambit-against-1c42

Otherwise, try 1...e5 and start kingside attacks

3. Opening Response of e4 (black)

Either try 1...c5 (of course) or an aggressive gambit is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 !?

4. Opening Response of Polish (black)

Try a KID type set-up! It's generally sharp and aggressive and 1.b4 will probably do little to help against it.

5. What opening you think I should play as white. If I don't like it, I probably will stop playing it, so feel free to say as many openings as you like (without over-doing it :D)

1.e4 and if:

     1...e5 2.Nc3 and vienna game

     1...c5 2.f4 and grand prix attack

     1...e6 or c6 play 3.e5

Of course I'll decide.  I'm asking for suggestions, not someone to play the opening for me.  I want to re-train myself and change my opening.  I'm quite young (my age on chess.com is a lie), and I want to continue playing chess because I like it, not because my parents or someone else wants me to (which I was doing before).

Great Idea!

Unfortunately, opening varies player to player.  If I delve into many different openings and many different databases, I'll learn much more.

BTW, tip: At 1500, the only thing you're probably lacking is tactics.  Do those non-stop.  It's how I got from 1600-1800 in a few months.  :D

3. If I play Sicilian again, I'm gonna kill myself.  :(

4. In case I'd ever need it :D

2. Interesting, will try.

3. Heck no

Also guys, thanks for all the answers.  It's my first day here and you went beyond my expectations.  Keep those answers coming!  Study time for me!

Holy frick I can't believe I missed that.  I love you.  That's a great way to break an Alekhine's player's defense.  I must go into that more.  Once again, many, many, MANY thanks.  Can't believe I've never thought of that before.

(Though they still can play d5, I think I prefer Bc4 much more over Nf3)

*Opens MCO*

The modern might be interesting to try out, it usually leads to sharp positions, while still not being a gambit. As long as you aren't afraid if playing in a slightly cramped position.

you need to fit your opening to your personalitiy i like benko gambit queens indian reti english

Sounds like you've had your fill of king bishop fianchetto... have you considered an e6-based Black repertoire?  French vs. e4, Nimzo-Indian vs. d4/c4.  Sound, simple, consistent.

Honestly, though, I'm a little puzzled about why you're asking us... surely a class A player must have at least a passing familiarity with most openings, even if you don't play them.  What have you been playing as White?  Never thumbed though MCO and thought, hmm, that looks interesting?  You'll get a hundred "here's what I play" responses in this thread, but ultimately none of us are going to know your style, and what appeals to you, as well as you will.

If 1.d4 you should try the benoni, although i like the Benko gambit better. If 1.e4 try a different variation of the sicilian. If 1.c4 try the four knights' variantion.

As a polish player myself I can confirm that 1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 BxB4 3. Bxb5 Nf6 is generally considered to be the best line by black against the polish. (I'm still not 100% convinced that's true)  However, it leads to a situation that you may be familiar with as a sicilian player.  Black gains a lead in development but gives up a central pawn for white's b pawn, so you have to play it aggressively and make use of that lead in development to justify it.