i play:
WHITE
e4 player
glek system (four knights with 4. g3) against e5
closed sicilian against 1. ..c5
BLACK
i play benko gambit or kings indian (just getting into the benko)
i play a old an bad line of the sicilian against e4 (the lowenthal :( )
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i like openings that offer dynamic compensation and counter-play, and those that are not as mainstream (i don't have time for all the current theory). i prefer semi-closed positions.
I always play e4 as white, very seldom d4 or English opening. I play e4 because I like open games with a lot of trading. My favourite variation as white is: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bb5 a6 (it is Ruy Lopez/ Morphy Defence), 4.Bxc6 dxc6 (Ruy Lopez (Exchange variation)),
5. d4 exd4, 6 Qxd4 Qxd4, 7. Nxd4...
I have traded Queens, Bishop for Knight and there is an open game with good chances for further trading for those who feel stronger in the endgame.
Replying to Sicilian Defense I immediately play c3 (1.e4 c5, 2 c3...).
As black I play e5 (answering to e4) or French Defense.
A famous swedish author wrote: "not playing e4 is a crime against the Idea of Chess". Maybe that is stretching a bit too far but I am very uncomfortable in d4 openings.
My Opening Repertoire is rather thin: "Guess!"
Well, I play e4 as White and try to get into something remotely similar to Ruy Lopez. I've had a fair number of funny games using the Smith-Morra Gambit.
As Black I hope for e4 and I stop sending seasonal greetings to anyone throwing d4 at me.
I've always been an 1.e4 player. It's out of habit more than any great preference. Also, as Fischer claimed, it's "best by test".
I have been a long-time Caro-Kann player, but I tend to throw in the Sicilian now and again to keep my opponents (and me!) on their toes.
I have never settled on a reply to d4 as I have with e4. I've tended to just play the QGD and use the Tarrasch variation if I want a more dynamic game.
I've been looking at the Colle as White (1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Bd3) because it seems to give a tolerable game no matter what Black does. It can be a bit stodgy, but it's predictable.
It was getting pretty popular some time back, but I don't have any recent data.
The King's Gambit. Of course, Black has to cooperate.
Against King's pawn openings, I respond with e5 because White has a myriad of options and I like to give my opponent plenty of choices whenever possible. Against Queen Pawn openings, I generally end up in a Semi-Slav. Half a Slav is better than none, I always say. I used to play the Dutch defense, but it gets too messy. However when my KGA opponent plays the Cunningham, I like the even messier Three-pawn Gambit. Against the Lopez, I like to play Bird's Defense.
I happen to prefer my own personal opening...the Shang Ri-La. I b-sed an English II project with it (and got an A!).
Shang Ri-La is flexible but u have to be willing to take risks and success depends on how brave you are. works best with white
start 1. d4 (or d3 for black)
2. N f3
3. B g5
4. Q d3 (or d2 for black)
continue with the best moves and castle on queenside then... a1. (blocks a bishop or queen that i always find at d4
correction
srry final move is a3
im confused about how to use it
here it is
need i go further
What is your favorite openings and why?
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As black I like: Sicilian Dragon, Slav and Semi-Slav
As white I like: QGD and Slav, Queen's Indian (I prefer Nf3)
I'm starting over from being away from the game for 10 years. This is what I have so far.