Looking for a reply to 1. c4 that I can use

Anyone thought of b5!...? It's called the Jaenisch Gambit....and it isn't perfectly silly. It scores quite well too. Has an element of surprise and can bring about a lead in development. That's all I'm saying. Feedback is welcome :)

There are a few people here who really believe in and love to play teh Jaenisch gambit.  I've only had limited experience with it, and always from the white side, but I think it's harmless and plays into exactly the kind of game I like to have as white.

Edit:  If you want to look for any info on the Jaenisch gambit, you may have better luck looking under "halibut gambit"

I have been using 1. c4 recently (unsuccessfully). If you want a game to practice a response to it, I would happily send you a challenge.

How bout the Anglo-Dutch System? Or you can go for a KID setup. If you choose Anglo-Dutch vs. c4 and your opponent plays an early d4, then it will transpose to a Leningrad Dutch, so know the lines in here as well...And yea, like Laskerfan said, Black's move order isn't really dependant on white's moves too much except for the exception he gave.

@rednblack: I have not had too much of an opportunity to even play against 1. c4, but as far as OTB goes, I have a friend who always uses it.  I won the only game that I used 1…b6 against him (the game finished 2. Nc3 Bb7 3. d3 e6 4. Bd2 Nf6 5. e3 c5 6. Nf3 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Nxd5 exd5 9. Be2 Bd6 10. O-O h6 11. Rc1 Nd7 12. d4 O-O 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. Bb4 Rc8 15. Bxc5 bxc5 16. Qa4 Qb6 17. Qb5 Qxb5 18. Bxb5 a6 19. Be2 Rfe8 20. Rfd1 d4 21. h3 Bb8 22. Kf1 dxe3 23. fxe3 Rxe3 24. Kf2 Ree8 25. Rd7 Bxf3 26. gxf3 a5 27. Rd5 Red8 28. Rdxc5 Rxc5 30. Rxc5 Ba7 31. Ke1 Bxc5 0-1).  As you can see, it was a very close game until the end when I stumbled upon a tactical opportunity.  I actually don’t think that I have faced 1. c4 on chess.com (I need to check my games archive on that one).

@LazyPig83: Sure. Send me the challenge and I’ll start when I can. I prefer a 3-day-per-move or more time control only because I worry about not being able to access Internet on some days.  I usually move once every day.

@turn: I believe I have heard of the Jaenisch Gambit before, but it looks really scary to me (if I’m playing the Black pieces in that situation). I’ll take a look into it (maybe I will use it as the rare surprise weapon), but I don’t think that I have the courage to play that move.

Well, it isn't everyday you see the English, so you shouldn't be in too much of a problem. If you like, I could play the English and you try out the Jaensich, or Halibut Gambit, unrated. After all, we're here to help and improve our game together!

@turn: Thanks for the offer, but I'm not too interested in the Jaenisch Gambit. I mean, it's not bad or anything, but I don't like playing a pawn down in the opening. I also have enough games going right now.  Maybe another time.

Okay then, no problem. And by the way, me learning de Queen's, too. :)

I usually play NF6 and then e5

I don't understand that at all, macattack.  depending on how white wants to play, he can follow up with 3. g3 or 3. e3 and do just fine.  Also, what if white doesn't play 2. d4, which I rarely will against 1. . .Nf6

Nf3 is a good waiting move that often transposes into either the Nimzo Indian or the QGD.  Tis my choice, most of the time.