What's the best answer to white's e4 opening?

Hi. I've been playing the e6 to white's e4 first move (French defence) for quite a while now, though I've come across a number of litereature recommending c5 (Sicilian defence) instead of e6. I have tried playing the Sicilian defence, but lost most games as compared to when I play the French defence. It could be that I haven't taken enough time yet to learn the Sicilian defence. However, I'd like to hear your advice and views regarding the two openings, especially from those of you who play both the Sicilian defence and French defence.

The French holds a solid center.  Black is willings to endure White's attacking chances in the middlegame and hopes to enter a favorable endgame.  The Sicilian is a counterattack.  Black concedes greater center control by White and looks to strike in different ways.  Of course, there are different ways to play these openings.  I'm not concerned with what is the "best" answer to 1e4.  I just want to find one I'm comfortable with.  Over 50 years of looking.

I play both. Frankly, the French is more annoying to e4 players, but the Sicilian may be more theoretically correct. Both are obviously "real openings" and are employed by GMs frequently, although I do think it's telling that the Sicilian has been employed in World Championships, whereas the French is usually avoided because it's risky (and also because at a really high level, the exchange variation is nearly always drawn, so if you need to win, it's also not the best).

My advice is that if you really love the French, which I do play occasionally but it's not my main stuff (I also play 1...e5 and dabbled in 1...c6 for some time), maybe have some preparation in some other openings for specific situations against 1. e4. If it is absolutely necessary that you win a game (or you're playing an opponent a bit lower-rated than you whom you don't want to draw), there may be better options.

The best defense to e4 is the one you feel the most comfortable playing.

Both the Sicilian and French are equally good or bad. Play the one you like best and the one you have more knowledge about.

I play e4 alot, but sometimes ill play other things (just not d4). The only reason I play other things is if I know that my opponent plays the french.

In my limited experience with the French, it seems like white has more of a voice in how sharp the opening is going to be, whereas with the Sicilian it's more often black that can choose if he wants to keep the opening sharp and avoid drawish or more bogged down lines.

Is that a fair statement - would people agree with it?  Or no?

depends, if your satified with the French play the French. If your not, watch some youtube video's on the sicilian. 

btw I have a great amount of experience with both openings from both sides. If your looking to learn some good "simple" (not really!) Sicilian lines I can post some.

I'd recommend the book "Chess Openings for Black, Explained." Personally, I play c4 but I'm down the totem pole when it comes to ratings to the above posters might be better to listen to. Good book, though. 

Objectively I think that Ruy Lopez and French are the best responses to e4. But I don't use those openings because they're theoretical and lead to annoying positions (to me). I'm using the Caro-kann for a week and I'm liking it (except the exchange variation).

If you wouldn't mind, I would like to see some of those lines.  I've been considering delving into the Sicilian.  I've been playing the Caro-Kann since I started studying the game 9 months ago.  I'm now tired of the Caro, but the Sicilian looks so complicated I've been putting off getting started on it.

I think it´s a matter of taste and a matter of your objectives.

When you want to improve much you need a good understanding in all position types, beginning with open positions. And open positions are very frequent in open games (1.e4 e5). Maybe one who switches too early from 1... e5 to other defences, improves slower then he could.

I played the french much to early and loved that advance variation with all the pawn breaks and still play open positions not that good i could if i had stayed at 1...e5 all the time.

Thanks for all your input.

CP6033 wrote:

Just some brief ideas on how to play some sicilian positions. I'll maybe post more later if there is more interest.

Thanks, CP!

Either one is a fine choice, I like Sicilian better personally, but if you don't like sharp positions I wouldn't play it, a lot of Sicilian games white castles long and things can get real crazy real quick. One slip and you're toast, and be ready to study a lot of theory if you want to get good at the Sicilian. The najdorf alone is a monster. It's all worth it to me though😁

The best defense against e4, attack!

Be like water, flexible and fits in all, so play some waters, against e4!

What I mean is, you can play the Sicilian and French against e4, but so be flexible (like water :)so you can move from one to the other defense and if you're black you lead his attack, I know it looks and sounds crazy but it's very effective!Just as in Aikido, fit in with the attacker, using his anger and attack against him, do not you upset your peace!

I'm not a pro at chess, self-taught and I just love to explore my options, be water and never lose,trust me!

Good luck!

Thanks SamuraiChick for your advice.