Sharp openings against 1.d4 around 1800
Sort:
VRajmiv
1 day ago
0
#1
I don’t really like 1.d4 positions like the London System or the Queen’s Gambit. That’s why I’ve been playing the Dutch Defense against 1.d4 since I was rated 1200, but now that I’m 1800, my opponents know the basic ideas and often outplay me.
I’m wondering what other unbalanced openings people play to avoid symmetrical or quiet positions and get exciting games against 1.d4. Maybe the Grünfeld or the Benoni?
As black, you will be trading something to play an aggressive defense. There are many options and which one works for you depends on what you are willing to give white to get an aggressive position as black.
15 hrs ago
0
#3
Can guarantee you most of your opponents do not know the basic ideas of the Dutch
11 hrs ago
0
#4
1..., b5 and then play it like the St George as opposed to the Polish, maybe? "U Cannot Be Serious" (Basman and Welling) is a Required Reading book for this line. Not everyone's cup of tea, but challenges for the initiative from move 1.
10 hrs ago
0
#5
Hi!
Hi!
The Benoni and the Grünfeld are sharp options against 1.d4, but they also have a lot of theory. If you like them and don’t mind studying, they are fine.
I play the Modern (also works vs 1.e4) and the English Defense (1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6). They are less theoretical but still sharp and fun. I think the English Defense can fit your repertoire, since like the Dutch it is a fight for the light squares.
Best,
Ariel (maafernan) — Chess.com‑verified coach
1 ... e6 can lead to a French or Indian.
5 hrs ago
0
#7
Try transposing into the dutch later via e6 > b6 > Bb7, and maybe Bb4. You can choose when and whether to enter it. The lines are more favorable. Objectively they score better, on par with alot of other lines. You don't have a bad bishop either. You get a nimzo indian pawn structure in most games. It's very dynamic. Usually considered favorable for black.
You can combine it with the QID against g3 too. So no kingside attack into a brick wall. No early gambits either.
Most importantly, you don't get a boring game against the London.
To get a London that isn't just bad white needs to play c3 first. But c3 is a slow move. It's especially bad against dutch structures. So I like this line -
At high level in tournament settings people avoid these lines because white can play a french, then enter the exchange if they like, which is drawish. It conflicts with the dutch's purpose as an anti-drawing weapon. In an online setting, that's irrelevant. Noone is playing for draws and it's a very small fraction of games that go that route, about 2%. It's a myth that the dutch isn't playable once you reach a certain elo. The dutch is always playable if you transpose into it properly. If you play it directly, you allow white to cater his response perfectly, it's objectively worse and people who know how to counter it will do well.
