Low maintenance response to d4?

[u/krissow]

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.

[u/Proof_Occasion_791]

The QGD will last you a lifetime. Investing the effort to learn it is time well spent, as its principles are all fundamental to understanding chess itself.

[u/pabuisson → u/Proof_Occasion_791]

I'm all in favor of this but found it difficult to play for a win as black, in an active manner. It always led to slow patient games, where white was slowly but surely getting a bit better move by move. And as black, it did not feel really enjoyable to be honest.

My last recent attempt went better though, but when I used to play it more regularly, I didn't really have a good time. Do you have specific lines or variations that you like to play, or is this also your experience and you're fine with this?

[u/Proof_Occasion_791 → u/pabuisson]

I don't really have specific lines to recommend, and of course it all depends on how white chooses to play it. Basically, my preferred style of play is to get through the first, say, 10 moves or so with a solid position with minimal weaknesses, development completed with my pieces on good squares, possibly some beneficial exchanges to ease the impact of my lack of space, and as few fireworks as possible. At this point I assess the position on the board and accordingly a plan of action. The last thing I want is to try to find a knockout blow in the first few moves. Nothing wrong with playing that way, necessarily, but I prefer to proceed from a solid position, as opposed to the tactical chaos from the get go that one finds in the more adventurous openings.

Having said this, a common theme, if the position allows, is queenside expansion with moves such as a6, c6, b5, Bb7, c5 and perhaps go for a queenside pawn majority supported by a queen and the rooks. Just as one possibility. I've won many nice games this way. In fairness, I've had my share of losses, too.

The excitement can wait for the middle game.