what should I play against e4?
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I’ve been looking for a good opening with the black pieces against e4. (That’s not the Sicilian because I’m too lazy to do all the studying). Any suggestions?
Dec 26, 2025
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#2
The Sicilian is not good. You don’t like it. Why don’t you do coral con defence or if you don’t like it you can do the Queen’s gambit.
Dec 27, 2025
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#3
I really like the French Defense. You need to learn some theory against the Advance Variation, but all the other lines aren't that hard to learn. The Exchange Variation is very easy and if 3. Nc3 or 3. Nd3 is played, I would take the pawn and play a Fort Knox Variation to avoid learning more theory
Dec 27, 2025
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#5
if your looking for something aggressive try the Stafford gambit e4 e5 nf3 nf6 (Petrov) nxe5 nc6 (initiates Stafford) nxc6 dxc6
Dec 27, 2025
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#8
I recommend the 'Pirc Defence'. It's a bit of a system based opening (Like the London), that requires way less studying to maintain than the Sicilian.
(The main line moves)
It's fairly simple and I recommend watching a video or two on it so you can learn the ideas and get a hang of it! 
Dec 27, 2025
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#9
MabaxMaberkabel wrote:
I’ve been looking for a good opening with the black pieces against e4. (That’s not the Sicilian because I’m too lazy to do all the studying). Any suggestions?
Petroff, and NOT the BS from post 5.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 and now if 3.Nxe5, then 3...d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4.
Petroff- solid, sound, little studying.
Antoshin Philidor- solid, sound, even less studying.
3...Qd6 Scandinavian- less solid, complicated (especially in the modern 3...Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nc6 approach), not much to learn here either.
Dec 29, 2025
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#14
You can play e5 to have the most normal balanced game without anything insane.
You can play c5 for a sharp imbalanced battle but only with some preparation and understanding of the opening.
You can play c6 to be very very solid.
You can play e6 for… actually I don’t know the french that well, but I think you have a closed position most of the time with some pawn break ideas.
You can play d5 for some potential dynamic fights I think.
You can also play g6 or d6 which often involves a fianchetto-bishop.
Nf6 is also possible but I really don’t know this opening so well.