defense to d4

Hi folks.

I play the classical french against e4, open with d4 as white and currently play the nimzo/queens indian against d4. I prefer more closed, slower games. I prefer to have a space advantage but don't mind being cramped if theres a concrete target to aim at (as in the french with the undermining of white centre). I don't mind drawish lines as my opinion of them is they're only a draw if you're a grandmaster who can find the best move in every position. I tend to have quite classical tendancies and I tend to play the classical mainlines as white (Qc2 against the nimzo, averback kings indian, Russian system of the grunfeld, that kind of thing)

I'm beggining to doubt the nimzo. What would the folks out there recommend? Stick with it or try something else? I'd appreciate any comments, thank you.

If you prefer closed, slower games and don't mind being cramped, perhaps the QGD would be a good option for you. The Slav may be worth a shot as well. These are also both more 'classical' openings than the Nimzo/Queen's Indian in the sense that black is fighting to maintain a pawn or two in the center of the board rather than playing in 'hypermodern' style.

The problem with te QGD is I really lie the positions for white and I think white gets a bit too much fun.

I had thought about the Meran variation of the semi-slav...

That being said are there any variations in the nimzo or players that hande it in a classical way?

Apologies, but I'm having some trouble with giving up the nimzo, I've played it for a long time, you see.

Thank you for your comments, I shall certainly look at the Slav, semi-slav and the QGD

What about the benko gambit?

Bump

You say you prefer slower, closed games? Go with the opposite of the Benko Gambit.

What I thought too....

semi-tarrasch

Okay, maybe the Benko isn't so great for my playing style.

The Kings indian is a great opening but, as far as I'm aware, its a little bit on the agressive, tactical side for me I think.

The slav can't be the only word in closed defenses to d4 that aren't particularly tactical...

How about the Tarrasch? It's positional and doesn't give white much of a space advantage. For an introduction, see the recent Chesscafe column: http://www.chesscafe.com/abby/abby.htm . Playing IQP positions should be right up a classical player's alley.

As a White 1.d4 player yourself, you know that White usually gets a little space advantage; it's hard to find a sound defence for Black that doesn't make some compromises.

Anyway, "not particularly tactical" depends on both players - White has wild options available pretty much everywhere, should he choose to go that way. Except against the Nimzo, as far as I know.

Edit: you say "I'm beginning to doubt the Nimzo", and of course you know that the problem isn't with the Nimzo -- that's as good as ever. Perhaps you should just study it more, or switch to some different variation.

Edit 2: Just noticed your rating. You should really go with "1...d5, don't block the c-pawn because you want to play it to c5 at some point, and develop your pieces." It's impossible that the openings are your problem, since your opponents don't play opening theory.

Bump