Looking at your rating, I'd say just pick the Caro-Kann or French, learn the first couple opening moves and see how it works out. Playing black, 1...e5 and 1...c5 against 1. e4 will probably mean a some excessive opening research at your level.
New Opening for Black if White plays e4
Sort:
MervynS wrote:
Looking at your rating, I'd say just pick the Caro-Kann or French, learn the first couple opening moves and see how it works out. Playing black, 1...e5 and 1...c5 against 1. e4 will probably mean a some excessive opening research at your level.
I would agree if literally anyone else knew theory sub-1000. In 90% of games you're fine to play e5, Nc6, Bb4/c5/e7, Nf6, d6, and 0-0, and I have a rather extensive list of niche cases below for if someone DOES know theory. The odds of someone playing much other than a minimalist form of Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch, a Four Knights variant of the above, or Vienna Gambit are low.
Feb 1, 2025
0
#4
MervynS wrote:
Looking at your rating, I'd say just pick the Caro-Kann or French, learn the first couple opening moves and see how it works out. Playing black, 1...e5 and 1...c5 against 1. e4 will probably mean a some excessive opening research at your level.
At his rating, he should be studying any openings and just focus on opening concepts.
If White plays e4, I usually play the Scandinavian, but I'm just now realizing it's not the best opening. I generally do not counter with e5. What are some alternative openings?