Why do you feel uncomfortable with d4? What are you trying to achieve out of the opening? What sort of middlegame positions do you like?
What opening suits me?
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Why not g4?
Dec 14, 2014
0
#4
I prefer positions which are more open and not closed. But my offense is said to be good when it comes to openings like the Kings Indian or the Nimzo-Indian. I like it when all the pieces are exchanged and go to the endgame rather than try and finish in the middlegame. However, the coaches I have been with suggested that I try playing more positional openings and focus on finishing the game in the middlegame rather than dragging it...
We're probably at a similar level, so I'm not sure I'm really qualified to be giving you advice, but I think it depends what you're trying to achieve. If you want to maximise performance then you want to play to your strengths, but if you want to maximise improvement then you probably want to practice where you're weaker.
If you prefer more open positions then e4 seems ideal, although if you want to practice more in closed/solid positions then d4 might be worth trying for a while. Why are you having this re-think on openings anyway? What do you feel your current openings aren't doing for you?
If you (zeus3101) start playing 1. d4 you will eventually become more comfortable with it.
If you are comfortable with 1. e4 as White you don't need to start using 1. d4 as well, provided you don't have problems facing 1. d4 as Black. 
Dec 15, 2014
0
#7
I am actually in India and the competition here consists of the same set of opponents who I may face more than once. I just want to be able to surprise them if its like my third or fourth time playing him. A person who has played with you a lot can predict what kind of player you are but I can play in different styles depending on my mood and preparation... I can actually face d4 quite well.
As white I have tried the controversial b3, which is often underestimated (it is actually a great opening) but the problem with it is you need to think very strategically and be able to handle all kinds of positions(closed and open) Since it is unorthodox, people reply in all possible ways and studying all possibilities is like baptism under fire.
As Black, I have tried Caro-Kann/Slav and am fairly familiar with the Sicilian Dragon variations
Dec 16, 2014
0
#8
Im gonna Recomend the English Opening.
It is a very solid Opening. Specially when you have trouble against blacks different openings against D4 and E4
http://www.chess.com/video/player/openings-for-beginners-the-english-opening
Dec 16, 2014
0
#9
chessmicky wrote:
I can't remember his name, but a famous Grandmaster once said "Players below master level don't have styles, they have weaknesses!"
Obviously, but only the top 1% of players reach that level
Dec 16, 2014
0
#10
Actually you are diverting from the topic, I want to know HOW to change to 1. D4 not suggestions for different openings
I tried English Opening but it requires more knowledge about transpositions to d4 and e4 variations and some unorthodox positions...
zeus3101 wrote:
I prefer positions which are more open and not closed. But my offense is said to be good when it comes to openings like the Kings Indian or the Nimzo-Indian. I like it when all the pieces are exchanged and go to the endgame rather than try and finish in the middlegame. However, the coaches I have been with suggested that I try playing more positional openings and focus on finishing the game in the middlegame rather than dragging it...
Sounds like poor advices since trying to finish off an opponent in the middlegame never works unless the opponent has weak defensive technique. The idea behind an attack is to use threats of mate to force weaknesses and/or other concessions! What is an endgame exactly? When there are three pieces per side or less, things could get murky however since what if a side has a queen, bishop and knight, and rook vs. queen and two rooks? The side with the rook typically doesn't want to trade it off whereas the side with two rooks wants to exchange it off leaving a queen and two minors vs. queen and rook (definite endgame) and the pieces are worth slightly more than the rook typically (value of 6 vs. 5, or 6.5 vs. 5 with the bishop pair, especially Horowitz bishops on an open board coordinating with a queen the value of the bishops further increases) This is mostly semantics anyway.
Dec 16, 2014
0
#13
chessmicky wrote:
" I want to know HOW to change to 1. D4"
It's a simple process. At the beginning of the game, when you are White, 1) Pick up the pawn on d2. 2) move your hand over the d4 square. 3) Put the pawn down on d4.
HAHA
You haven't told us anything about your style.
1.d4 usually is more closed, more positional, and lasts longer.
1.e4 usually is more tactical, more sharp, and more exciting.
Both have lots of book. I think the theory is probably more important to know with the 1.e4 openings.
1.Nf3 is another good one that I don't recommend since it can transpose into many different things. It's like you're asking your opponent what they wan to play.
1.c4 is the least theoretical of the "good" openings for white, but know that after simply 1...e5 White has no opening advantage, the position is just equal. It's good if you just want to play chess instead of compete with the other player's opening knowledge.
LOL Black wins by force after 1.c4 e5
Dec 17, 2014
0
#16
Oraoradeki wrote:
LOL Black wins by force after 1.c4 e5
Black wins by force??
No he doesn't.
It's a good move though most would play 1...Nf6 instead.
As for openings the Najdorf and Nimzo and Queen's Indian are sound and reliable.
Dec 18, 2014
0
#18
zeus3101,
Have you tried the online quiz mentioned in the following thread? It's more of a fun quiz, but there is a fair amount of truth in it.
Dec 19, 2014
0
#19
I got Sicilian Najdorf once and with slightly altered choices I got Sicilian Dragon, both which I play with frequently...
Im not actually interested in buying books because I usualy doze off on the second page. So no books for me...
Dec 19, 2014
0
#20
If you feel uncomfortable with an opening, play it. Play it lots. If you want to improve, you have to play outside your comfort zone - no pain no gain and all that jazz.
Basically I'd recommend learning d4, once you learn the queens pawn game and the new concepts that come with it, you'll become a stronger player in e4 openings as well.
In both e4 and d4 you can find any sort of style opening you like, so don't think d4 and e4 are too dissimilar.
I am a decent club level player with knowledge of many openings and their main lines. I currently play e4 as white and get uncomfortable with the d4 lines.
What I want to know is that how should I know how to change to d4 and play both interchangeably because I am told that d4 actually suits my playing style.