I think you should stick to the opening you already have. If you think about it, look how far it has gotten you! You may hit some bumps in the road with the opening the queens gambit is probably one of the best openings out there in my opinion.
Queens Gambit
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Jan 3, 2014
0
#3
I think first you should figure out whether you are going to always play 1.e4 or 1. d4. All of the openings above are sound and used by GM's so it is just a matter of choosing which lines you want to study and play.
Jan 3, 2014
0
#4
I think the author of the OP is a little confused. He talks about the Queen's Gambit, and then mentions "complicated lines", and names lines that aren't even in the time zone of the Queen's Gambit.
The Queen's Gambit is 1.d4 d5 2.c4. There are many different options for Black:
1) Queen's Gambit Accepted (2...dxc4)
2) Queen's Gambit Declined - Orthodox (2...e6)
3) Slav Defense (2...c6)
4) Semi-Slav Defense (2...c6, 3...Nf6, and 4...e6)
5) Triangle Defense (2...e6 and 3...c6 - No Nf6 early on)
6) Chigorin Defense (2...Nc6)
7) Albin-Countergambit (2...e5)
However, where the confusion with the OP seems to be is he's associating the Benko, KID, etc, as a complicated line of the Queen's Gambit. 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 is NOT the Queen's Gambit. It might transpose if Black plays 2...e6, White plays 3.Nc3 or 3.Nf3, and Black plays 3...d5, but otherwise, you'll be in some form of Indian Defense
The same thing goes for the Italian Game. 1.e4, 2.Nf3, and 3.Bc4 doesn't automatically constitute the Italian Game. For example, 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bc4 is a very weak Anti-Sicilian. 1.e4 e6 2.Bc4 is just stupid, same with 1.e4 c6 2.Bc4. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 is a Petroff where again, 3.Bc4 is just outright stupid.
So you can't just live and die by the Queen's Gambit or Italian Game. You have a ton of other defenses Black can play against either of those first moves. I played a rated game last night (over the board), played 1.e4, and faced a French (1...e6) and won in 32 moves. Of course, If I had faced 1...e5 and 2...Nc6, I refuse to touch the Italian Game, and will either play the Ruy Lopez or Four Knights Game, but that's another topic completely.
Jan 3, 2014
0
#5
Exactly what Joe said; the Ruy Lopez and Queen's Gambit are probably roughly equal in how good of an opening they are. It's just whichever you like playing more depending on your style/preferences. You don't even have to pick 1.e4 or 1.d4, you can play both, at least until you get to expert/master etc. and decide you like one much more than the other. Many strong players open with many different things (Carlsen plays 1.e4, 1.d4 1.c4 and 1.Nf3, and probably others, for example). It will just throw your opponents off that much more.
If you want to play 1.d4 you can do it without playing the most critical lines just like you can with 1.e4. I don't think you're the only person in the world that doesn't prefer to play the Botvinnik.
Keep in mind that Greg really doesn't like off-beat stuff lol.
@Joe and Nick I agree with you this post is moreso is me wondering why people enjoy the Queens Gambit and why it's so popular.. space-advantage, positon adv, protected king ?etc.. I feel like e4 is a lot less study and you're able to have your pet opening(ruy/scotch/itlaian) that you can have fun with..I enjoy d4 because in long games I have more success with it but theres so much theory I wonder what would help me break 2000 easier
I know the Queen's Gambit is considered one of the, if not, the most respectable openings for white..why is this? It seems there are so many complicated lines to learn such as the Botvinik, Benko, KID, QGD..would you suggest it for a club player seeking to become an expert in the next few years, or should I take a different route with the Italian game or somthing?