1. d4 & 1.c4 players, please help me (building an opening repertoire)

I play the English as White quite often. I don't play 1. d4, so my White repertoire is based on a classical approach to the English. As Black I use actually more than one setup, since I anyways know the ideas involved. I only play the reversed Sicilian or the symmetrical English, the critical lines from others (e.g. 1. c4 Nf6) should transpose to these.

The four knights variations in either give fairly equal positions quite easily, so I use those lines sometimes. They are the basic lines of the English and the ideas involved should be known anyways. Probably my favourite line is the Keres variation of the reversed Sicilian (reversed Alapin), which leads either to a strong center for Black or isolated queen's pawns (often for both). Another critical line is the Rubinstein variation of the symmetrical English (reversed Maroczy bind), but that one is theory-heavy and can be move ordered.

Closed Catalan is fine for black as long as you can meet e4 with e5 in my opinion.

"I like how Nf6 keeps the game non-symmetrical"

So am I, Symmetrical variations are named after Niels Bohr:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niels_Bohr

"I play 1. e5 (The King's English) against white's 1. c4 because it controls the center early in the game, which is often a trouble for black when playing against the English Opening. In my experience, white will usually respond with 2. Nf3, to which you should -- in my opinion --respond with 2. Bb4 (The Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack). This will break up white's desired setup early on in the game, often putting white's knight(s) in a bad position."

Interesting...

"Against white's 1. Nf3, I respond with 1. Nf6. While this response does temporarily put the game in a symmetrical position, which I don't like, it often results in a transposition to the King's Indian Defense, if you're interested in that opening."

Yes I am, and now that White played 1.Nf3, he doesn't have the Samisch var to the KID... so yes... great! (A psychological move (my own idea) is 1...f5, yes Dutch, the thing is, he can't do the same...)

"Hope this helps"

Yes sir. it helped me a Lot.

c6 against the English Opening, interesting.. why? what do you gain by that? I was thinking more about a reversed Grand Prix Attack, what do you think? (so you're a move behind... that's also a benefit - White has to pioneer, you just play according to Him - easier).

i play it to stay flexable and let white show there cards first, if they play d4 ...well its a queens gambit an i play the semi slav anyways, if they go for a g3 setup/ catalan i take on c4 and hold onto my pawn. i honestly dont get c4 on the table much but i have shanklands book on it. its the one iv read the least about since i dont see 1c4/ nf3/ reti stuff to often.

Thank you very much. Very smart! You play waiting moves - like the greats.

I need to change the question a little: When you play 1.c4 (as always - You're White now), what is the most disturbing - annoying, answer that you get from Black in respond?

Example: I use to play 1.e4, the most annoying respond - 1...d5 (The Scandinavian). (So... I started playing it as Black, against 1.e4. very good results so far.)

"Hello, it really depends on what kind of player you are, you know, and whether or not you feel best learning complicated lines."

First off. It's a pleasure to meet you - you're exactly the kind of person I wanted to meet - 20 years experience ! Good ! Now, let's get to it:

I hate learning complicated lines !

"Are you aggressive or a safe player?"

Safe.

"Do you like two-edged positions?"

No.

"Wrt 1.c4, 1. ...c5 gives some of the most tactical and unbalanced games."

Really? It looks so innocent lol... okay, good to know. I like unbalanced, I don't like tactical (but it's my fault - I stopped solving puzzles, and need to start it again)

Or some people try to force a QGD by playing e6 and d5." Good to know.

"Others who like Indian systems play Nf6 and g6." Only the King's Indian, and only if Nf3 was played - no f3 Samisch (I don't like to lose..). Grunfeld looks mega-fun.

"Maybe the best answer to 1. c4 is 1. ...e5." That's what I always played, because I like it. Good to hear from an ex- 1.c4 -er that it's the best. Now I know what to play against 1.c4 ! Thank you!

"I've played 1. d4 for over 20 years but before that I played 1. c4."

What made you switch? What did you find better in d4, or bad in c4. You stayed with d4 for 20 years... I am currently [word in English] between 1.d4 and 1.c4 - what to choose.

"If you're a very precise player it's possible to get a small advantage with 1. c4 against any defence, but you really have to know your openings and be a good positional player."

I am a positional player ! "small advantage" good! it usually leads to a huge advantage, because opponents usually burst into flames, blundering, if I slowly out-position them.

"Probably best to play something aggressive against 1. c4 but to avoid getting into a losing position." Which leads to my big question: Do you think playing a Grand Prix Attack against 1.c4 is a good idea?

"I know that sounds daft but many 1. c4 players are very strong on the counter-attack." That sounds Really daft, you know... (I don't know what 'daft' is)

All in all, thank you! You've been a huge help to me! Farewell !

Against the English, c4 e5 g3 c6 is the most testing option. The goal is to close the g2-bishop and to gain control in the center. Against d4, the Nimzo and Semi-Slav are two of many solid options. 

"i find 1c4 1g6 to be a bit of a challenge"

Hello everyone. I am an 1.e4 player, trying to create a serious opening repertoire. meaning:

When I'm White - that's easy, I play 1.e4, and needs to know what to answer to any response - Sicilian, French, etc...

I can tell you, not from experience, but from what my coach says, a few tidbits:

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And for reference, I play either Catalan (Queen's gambit move order) or Colle-Zukertort as white when I get the chance

I SO much want to play the Colle-Zukertort, but... I watched a Susan Polgar video, and a GingerGM one, and... there's a "little" problem - the sweet bishop on d3 that we try to achieve in the London, Jobava London, and Colle-Zukertort, can be 'canceled' by Black's bishop - 1...d5, 2...Bf5.

Carlsen vs. Giri:

https://lichess.org/751DRMPG

I think I should know transpositions before playing these systems I guess.