As a surprise opening I like the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (good success in tournaments) Ryder Gambit. I love attacking. When playing people 2000 and up I always use the Catalan, with Nf3 before c4. I use this opening in important games. Catalan doesn't work against slav openings but I know them so well I love them as white or black. I know queen's indian well. I am willing to get into the strange Grunfeld with the piece sac on f7 to get the pinning bishop (I think Kasparov and Anand dueled this one for an entire WCC match). Fianchettoing against the King's Indian works.
As black against d4 I play mostly the Budapest Gambit, but sometimes a slav, semi slav, albin counter gambit, grunfeld, or king's indian. I prefer the Budapest.
Against the English or Zukertort I can transpose with 1... Nf6 into a Grunfeld or King's Indian.
As black against e4 I am traditionally a Najdorf Sicilian player, with the Anti-English and the Argentine variations (take it out of the book and even the concept!). I also like some main lines of the Alekhine, or used to. I am still looking for something good. I've tried the caro-kann and french, but have no patience. When I try the modern/robatsch or pirc I always feel like I'm getting crushed. I don't like standard positions from king's pawn or scandinavian. Ruy Lopez is out of the question, I love it for white. I like using my pawns, not having them sit back while pieces trade. I love complex tactical positions. The Marshall Gambit seems fun, except they have some lines like trading knights (which equalizes, but I hate the position) or getting into a better version of the Alekhine. I am looking for suggestions against 1. e4.
i prefer queens gambit the most because its cool