Chose my opening!

     Hello there! Right now, I am looking for a "serious" defensive line to study for black (I've been toying around with some black gambits, like the Latvian, but want to get a "real" solid line to play). I've been thinking about studying a hypermodern defense (Modern defense, Nimzowitsch defense, Alekhine defense, ect.) but it's not set in stone.

     So, basically, I want to get your take on it. What is your favorite black defense (to 1.e4, mainly), and why? Although the title of this topic might be a slight misnomer-- seeing how I'm not deciding by vote or whatever-- your posts will have a definite impact on my decision.

Thanks!

I think picking a sicilian is a great choice.  1.e4 players have so much to stay on top of, and the possibility of an open sicilian player getting confused about what he is facing is common.  Another great plus is many of your opponents will avoid the open sicilian for fear of that confusion and play something less ambitious, like the alapine, smith morra etc.

Hmmm... But then again your opponent may not play the opening line you're studying. While I'm not saying that opening theory is not important, a great many GM's have said that exceptional opening knowledge only helps if you don't blunder away the game after the opening...

So I'd suggest some practice in endgame and middlegame theory and once you have that under control, move on to the opening. But that is simply my opinion. Many other GM's have said that the opening is important to even lower rated players.

I don't know much about the Alekhine, but I've studied the Nimzovitch. If everyone went in for the 2... e5 main lines I'd happily play it (it's one of the few Black defenses that often sees Black attacking White's King-side). Unfortunately, everyone at my level plays the Nf3 & Scotch variations which don't interest me much. Also, with both the Alekhine and the Nimzovitch, you'd still need something against d4, though you could play Nc6 against that as well.

I'm also looking at the Caro-Kann and the Slav which are both similar and solid. However watching Shirov demolish Eljanov in 25 moves at the Tal Memorial might make me re-think that. There's also the Shabalov/Shirov 7. g4 gambit line against the Semi-Slav to think about.

I've settled on the Modern myself for now, specifically the Pterodactyl lines with c5 & Qa5 (silly name, I'd call it the 'Keene variation' or just 'The c5 Modern'). This has a couple of advantages; you reduce your opening study down to just one defense, and the Pterodactyl in particular doesn't have a huge amount of theory, so there isn't that much to learn.

If you can get by with that then you'll have more time and energy for studying tactics (mainly) and endgames, which is where your improvement will really come from.

Here's an interesting statistic, for what it's worth. According to Opening Explorer, 1... g6 scores a higher percentage of wins against e4 & d4 than any other move (excepting 5 game oddballs like Nh6).

The sicilian, as someone said over there, is an excellent choice... but I would add, if you consider yourself a serious club player, not a beginner. Don't get me wrong, please. I'm not stating, but suggesting.

I mean that if you don't have the basics and a more or less solid middlegame you can simply get crushed by white.

If you're an expert, forget about what I'm gonna say now, but if you're a beginner I would suggest to start with 1.e5 or even a Caro-Kann or French (very good defense), before getting into the "Sicilian jungle".

Take care.

First let me tell you about my favorite defense. That is the Sicilian, and I am currently playing the Najdorf when white goes for an Open Sicilian. I used to play the Accelerated Dragon, which is also very good and requires considerable less study time, but also gives less winning chances.

Now as to what I would recommend. The answer depends on how much time and effort you want to put into it. If you are willing to spend a considerable amount, I think the Sicilian is definitely the best choice (I am assuming you like to play lively positions, if you want more solid stuff that's less dynamic, you should go with something like the Caro Kan). If you want to tone down the study time a bit, go with 1...e5. This is still a very good choice and it will serve you your whole chess life, assuming you pick main lines in the Ruy Lopez, Italian Game and Scotch Game. 

The problem with some of the Gambits you refer to is that even though it takes less time to learn the systems and you catch many opponents unaware, you will reach a point in which they are not useful anymore (if they are unsound, like the Latvian Gambit). It's better to put some time and study a good system and don't have to worry about changing it up.

The London System as White, 1.d4 

ECO D02

It is not an opening per se but rather a "system" that can be used against virtually anything black throws at you.  1.d4 avoids the heavily played Sicilian. 

A "system" rather than an opening avoids the necessity to study endless line s and variants. 

It is basically a positional game that one plays and studying tactics from there. 

It is a very versatile "opening". 

Caro Kann, forget the stereotypes it's a great defense. But you should do what matches to your style. 

The Caro-Kann is a solid opening vs e4.

I play e5 against e4 because it usually arrives at tactical positions, not slow manouevering torture. I play Nf6 against the Vienna, Bc5 against the King's gambit, and Nc6 after Nf3.

It's perfect!

Errr, please note that the Ruy Lopez is called the Spanish Torture :P The reason is that there are many lines with a lot of maneuvering in which black has to be ready to meet all of white's threats on both sides of the board.