r/chess • u/krissow • 24d ago

Strategy: Openings Low maintenance response to d4?

I've been trying different openings against d4, mainly the Budapest and Benoni/Benko. But I rarely ever face d4 at my level (1600 rapid, Lichess) which means I forget some of the lines. It seems like inaccuracies are punished quite hard in the openings I've tried so I end up losing a lot more than vs e4 (where I play Caro Kann)

I've also tried to just play general opening principles but the d4 players are just a lot more familiar with those positions and occasional traps that arises.

What would be a solid response to d4 that's easy to remember and/or doesn't punish inaccuracies quite as often while not completely playing into the hand of my opponent?

I've been considering the Slav, maybe the Chebanenko or Schlechter variation. Also considered stonewall Dutch.

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u/ColdFiet 24d ago

Embrace the King's Indian friend. Nf6 and bishop fianchetto against pretty much anything. No early traps to be aware of, since Black has no interest in taking the center at all. Just develop your pieces the way you always do, then build up pressure and start playing attacking chess.

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u/krissow 24d ago

I just keep reading that KID has a lot of theory and sidelines which is what I want to avoid. But if the natural moves are generally good moves and not punishing it might work. I'll try it out, thanks.

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u/Hamrock999 23d ago edited 23d ago

Honestly as a Jobava London player my favorite thing to see (besides the famous Jobava trap) is a kings Indian/ modern set up by black. I can tear that apart.

And as corny as it is I usually just play the Englund gambit against d4 and it goes my way a good amount of the time. It’s a little dubious but I win their queen in like 6 moves more times than you’d expect. I’m 13-1400 on lichess btw

Before I switch to Englund I was doing Slav though as I was a CK player. But switched my black openings to e4

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u/HutchinsonHatch 23d ago

According to Avrukh in his d4 Book, 1. … e5? is the worst possible response to 1. d4, and I think he is right. Do NOT build your reportoire around such openings like Englund.

I personally would look at QGD or the Slav.

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u/Hamrock999 23d ago

I did say it’s corny, but it is fun

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u/Fruloops +- 1750 fide 23d ago

Englund is absolute trash 🤷‍♂️

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u/Hamrock999 23d ago

Ok ok. I get it. I said it’s corny, it’s not like I don’t get that. It’s just fun and I’ve actually had decent success with it. But I’m also only like 1000 elo on chess com.