I have sort of a standard opening for white I play a lot. It's only a general setup, so you have to play it for a while to get a feel for it. I know I should expand my white openings, but it's hard to resist when I'm just wanting a quick internet game.
I've posted about this position before, so it comes with the disclaimer that I don't force myself to use the position in every game, but with minor tweaks to the position, it's pretty strong overall against lower rated players.
Against players USCF 1700 or higher, it's less effective, but still playable. Against USCF 1800+, the games can quickly devolve into tactical mess that's far too muddled to say who has the advantage, all else being equal.
Over 1900 USCF, and most likely the opponent has too much opening knowledge for my setup to be much of a challenge, unless your playing an exact opening line that happens to use my formation.
I didn't show black moves, other than d5, because I wanted to focus on white's setup. The overall goal is to dominate the "C" file with the rook. Black can prevent that if he wants, so I didn't go that far, but it's pretty hard for black to prevent at least as much of the setup I'm showing as long as he's mostly just trying to develop in the opening and not being too aggressive on the king side of the board.
There is one dangerous line that black can play against it.
I actually play the Austrian defence against 1.d4, why would the Salvio countergambit be such a problem? It certainly won't allow your setup but white is not in danger if he doesn't hold on too much to the extra pawn.
Also, I prefer 3.e3 instead of 3.d4.
It's not a problem to play that opening as long as you know how. Otherwise there are videos on the internet showing how black can severely punish white for lack of knowlege.
I have no idea how you can play 3.d3 when white's first move is 1.d4.
Then just learn how to play against it. I meant 3.e6 lol
Caesar49bc...
I am no openings specialist. I regularly mess up the opening. (For example... this) but your characterization of 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c5 3. dxc5 d4 4. Nf3 as crucial to White surviving is a bit dramatic. Your setup is still in White's favour such as 4. ... Nc6 5. e3 e5 6. exd4 exd4. Even if you lose your extra pawn, you have isolated Black's d-pawn, and can treat it like an IQP position where neither side is really developed. Verdict... setup still good!
Nf3 is what chess engines like. I been crushed with most of my other replies. Not crushed in the opening per se, but certainly never getting a chance to switch to offense or even getting an even game. 🙁