Help on Openings

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Avatar of Pikachulord6

I'm thinking about a set of openings that I should practice more and use in casual play.  Currently, I like the Alekhine Defense and the Old Benoni Defense.  I can't quite figure out why, only that they are a bit "weird" and have a kind of "fightish" nature to them.  Does anyone know of any similiar openings for both White and Black?  All help and consideration is greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Avatar of Conquistador

Well, the setup is similar with those openings with a Nf6 and attacking the dark squares.  You might want to play the Classical Benoni instead of the Old Benoni with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 leading to the same positions, but through a better move order.  Both of these openings are counterattacking and have somewhat closed centers, albeit the Benoni is a little more closed.

As black:

Against 1.d4, you have said you can use the Benoni.

Against 1.e4, you have said you can use the Alekhine.

Against 1.c4, play 1...Nf6 aiming for a Benoni type position.

As White:

Play 1.c4 as the positions that arise involve the same setup of c4 and Nf3.

Avatar of Pikachulord6

Thanks.  Do you know if the Modern Defense or the Pirc Defense have similar ideas or are they completely different openings?

Avatar of Conquistador

Those openings are somewhat similar, but they involve a fianchetto which is not found in either the Benoni or the Alekhine.

Avatar of Pikachulord6

Ok, thank you very much for your help!  I'll spend a little time looking further into the Alekhine and Benoni, but I'll take a look at the Modern and Pirc as well.