Which is the best defense against english opening?

I usually play queen's indian, or grunfeld

There are many options for black.I think in terms of 3 basic categories. 1) c4,e5 which is a reverse Sicilian. 2) c4,d5 d pawn defenses. And 3) c4,c5 the symmetrical English. Which can transpose into a Benoni if white chooses to play d4 as well.

1.c4 d5 is bad for Black.

A lot depends on what Black plays vs d4. Here are the legit responses to 1.c4:

1...e5

1...c5

1...Nf6 2.Nc3 and now:

2...g6 can be played by King's Indian players

2...d5 by Grunfeld players (2...g6 3.e4! And only then 4.d4), but you have to know anti-Grunfeld lines.

2...e6 by Nimzo players, but you need to know the Anti-Nimzo (3.Nf3) and Mikenas-Flohr (3.e4)

1...b6 - English Defense

1...f5 - Dutch player can play this

1...g6 - Modern Defense

1...c6 or 1...e6 followed by 2...d5 transposing to the Closed Reti or the Reti-Slav unless White transpose to a queen pawn opening.

Yes, you are correct. That was what I was trying to explain in simple terms. He is a 800 player and I didn't want to bombard him with reams of information.

still

"d5 defenses"? really? c4 d5 is plain bad

I like 1...c5 and I am OK with a draw.

I play f5,the Dutch defense classical. I have a good score against c4

The Anglo-Indian defense. It might transpose into KID which I love

I guess just e5 and c5 are the most principled. I would say e5 for a reverse-ish Sicilian is best

I like playing e5 and going for a grand prix

As a English player the symmetrical is VERY annoying to play against

I would say the reverse Sicilian

1.e6 against 1.c4

Then probably 1...Nf6 followed by 2...g6 and you'll probably get a Grunfeld-like position if not a direct transposition.

e4 and then try to go c3 d4

I play Agincourt Defense to transition into a QGD.

Kings English is really great... there's surprisingly little breadth to the theory, not sure why because it's a reversed sicilian but white just always plays the same moves. Of course whatever you play depends alot on the rest of your repertoire but if you're a sicilian player definitely look into the kings english.

Putting a pawn in centre, with e6 and d5, and developing is as good as anything. Quite ambitious ideas with playing d4, and effectively taking over playing white at some point. There are more solid options too.

I would play the Englund Gambit vs London