Problem with finding my chess path

Hello, I have to point out that I am still very much a begginer so forgive me if what I am trying to ask you chess players seems unclear. Playing with black pieces I almost inclusively play the French defense, I feel like I know basic theory in advanced that being the variation I am facing most often and some basic concepts and "traps" like: if white has bishop on d3 you can not take second pawn with knight or taking pawn on e5 with knight from c6 after white plays b5 and black has played Bd7 and so. On the other hand with white I struggle to find and opening, recently I have been playing King's gambit I do not know that many lines or variations of this opening. I am considering to transition to starting with d4 but that prevents me from going into familiar French position after 1.e4 e6. In OTB tournament I scored good with both openings against much stronger opponents but online lately been winning more games as white. If I play with white pieces I usually get myself into more aggressive positions even involiving sacrifices and I enjoy that I also feel good while playing passive as black in French waiting for a mistake. My lack of knowledge as white is not matched by results but I know as white I am playing less known opening as well. I also had done "Chess personality test twice" and have gotten different results: 1st time I was declared "Grinder" (possitional and aggressive), 2nd time it was "Mastermind" (attacking and solid) both tests were taken withing one month time period. I will also add that I am usually in time trouble after spending a lot of time to get a better position. Do you have recommendations to my game or opening repertoire? Should I try to focus on one aspect: move solid or aggressive or stick to opening I play now? I would be very grateful for any word's of advice and explanation if possible :)) Am I just creating problems where there are none? ;)

Hi

At this point in your development as a chess player, your most valuable asset for improving is your enthusiasm for and enjoyment of the game. So you should play openings that lead to the type of position that you enjoy, in order to protect and maintain your enthusiasm for chess.

Factors like tactics and strategy will become more important than attitude later on in your development as a player.

1.d4, d5 as both white & black and 1.e4, e6 as black will take you far. Solid positions with good counterattacking opportunities; definitely not passive. I like d4-d5 because you can work on both sides of board simultaneously.

Most important is to have fun, work on better piece development and move selection (avoiding blunders thru a pre-move checklist). Manage time with longer controls (stop bullet & blitz) as you develop your skills. Don't forget to self-analyze each game.

If we're going to talk about specific openings to play (and I feel that this misses the point) then a player who typically uses the French Defense as Black against White's e4 opening should really consider meeting 1. d4 with 1. ... e6 as well. If White answers with 2. e4 then Black can transpose back into his favorite French Defense opening by playing 2. ... d5.

After all, 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 is exactly the same position as 1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5.

Only if White chooses some other second move, instead of 2. e4, does the opening develop an independant character. He might, for example, play 2. Nf3 or 2. c4. Then Black can decide whether he'd rather play a Dutch Defense (slightly improved by Black's having already bypassed and avoided the possibility of the Staunton Gambit 1. d4 f5 2. e4) with 2. ... f5, or instead play a Queen's Gambit Declined with 2. ... d5.

word of advice - using paragraphs helps your message be easier to read

what really made a difference for me to improve at chess was to focus on a few openings I enjoyed and I started exploring the typical midgame positions I would get from those setups, as well as the common tactics and patterns that would pop up a lot in those kinds of games. Learning some lines in depth can even inform your judgment of what endgames are favorable to you, which pawn structures will be good once pieces are exchanged, what strategies you should pursue, etc.

Blueemu: your analysis and comments are always spot on. OP should be more confident now about e6 as black against either e4 or d4. The next point is what should OP play as white? OP is considering d4, which I think is good and would encourage him to consider.

I agree that an opening repertoire including 1. d4 as White would harmonize well with playing 1. ... e6 as Black.

On the other hand, two of the most stubborn French Defense players (as Black) were GMs Korchnoi and Uhlmann. Korchnoi played 1. c4 as his main weapon. Uhlmann played 1.c4 most of the time (about 2/3rds) and 1. d4 as a strong second choice.

So two of the most well-known French Defense GMs preferred 1. c4 when playing the White pieces.

@blueemu and to everyone else thank you for help, I have expierenced with 1.d4 e6. And back in a day tried to play Dutch but I was forcing myself to do so and it did not feel as fun to play I was not as confident as I am in French positions, other lines tho seem fun like Queen's Gambit from joth sides. So I shall try 1.d4 I guess once I get the basic understanding of positions.

I haven't learn opening names. The most book move I can do is 4. But if you want to learn I suggest watching as much Paul Morphy games on youtube. Then watch as many live games as you can (rapid) not blitz

Don't worry too much about a coherent repertoire at this point and about finding your way. The way will evenually find you. You will probably change some openings anyway as you get better, so just try an opening and see if you are comfortable with the positions.

Betelgeuse is getting ready to explode, and people are worried about our piddling little problems here on Earth.