E4 From the White Perspective

We all have our favorite openings against e4 as black, but we need to cover the topic of what to do as white when we see black's response to our 1.e4. I would like to discuss the thoughts and ideas presented to the player with the white pieces when they see black's response to 1.e4. Feel free to comment your favorite reaction to 1...c5, 1...e6, 1...e5, 1...d5, 1...d6, 1...c6, 1...Nf6, or any other defense to e4 such as Owen's Defense (1...b6) or Nimzowitsch's defense (1...Nc6). I will share my thought process and ideas as well.

I have tried the Sicilian Wing gambit (1.e4 c5 2.b4) several times and it can prove to put black in quite a bind if white can get his rooks on the queenside fast enough and build a large central pawn structure.

Have you tried 1. e4 c5 2.b3 as White? How do you find it compares for White?

I'm all for 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3, but I'm more of a d4 or Nf3 guy myself .

1.e4 c5 2.b3 (snyder variation) is basically a Nimzo-larsen attack in which black is trying to control the d4 square with a pawn, and white gains the long diagonal from a1-h8. It is a strong line and doesn't gain the respect it deserves and should be considered.

I just wanted to break away from the common knowledge of the main sicilians and find more interesting ways to progress.

I agree with Fiveofswords...except for 1. e4 d5..I'll never play exd, I'll play either Nc3 or something rather messed up like d3 :)

That's interesting...I just play exd and play solid with a clear advantage

Yes, exd5 is the way to go, I blame my reluctance on a game I had back in the late 90's vs. ...Nf6 instead of ...Qxd5 that left me kinda scarred.

I disagree with 3 times the number of Fiveofswords's responses, but not 1...d5, after that, you take it, nothing else is any good for White:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3!

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3! (I used to play 2.a3)

1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3!