Some Opening Recommendations
As White:
Here are some opening repertoire suggestions with 1. d4. Games beginning with 1. d4 tend to be slower and calmer than those beginning 1. e4. Of course, there are exceptions and to a certain extent, it is up to black how tactical the positions become. Obviously, what follows is not a complete repertoire, it's just a collection of ideas.
1.d4 d5,
The queens gambit
Stodge! But, it does give you the chance to slowly grind your opponent into a smelly green paste.
1. d4 d5, 2. c4 e6, 3. Nc3 Nf6, 4. cd ed, 5. Bg5 Be7, 6. e3 O-O, 7. Bd3 Nbd7, 8. Nge2 +=
White will gradually advance in the centre with f3 and e4 after some preparation e.g. O-O, Qc2, Rae1, etc. If c5 then white can exchange and play against the isolated black d pawn.
1.d4 Nf6,
The kings indian defence
This is more like it. I'm recommending the system which put me off playing this opening although I never had very much success with either side!
1. d4 Nf6, 2. c4 g6, 3. Nc3 Bg7, 4. e4 d6, 5. f3!? O-O, 6. Be3 e5, 7. d5 Nh5, 8. Qd2=
White has a significant space advantage and good prospects for a powerful kingside attack after O-O-O, and g4! Black has play with f5 but if white needs to he can attack vigorously on the queenside with rapid pawn advances e.g. b4, c5, etc. Even infront of a castled king!
1 .d4 f5,
The dutch defence
I recommend this line as your opponent won't know it and there is nothing wrong with it! Nc3 looks unnatural here but look which pawn black just
moved first!
1. d4 f5, 2. Nc3 (it's OK, trust me!) Nf6, 3. Bg5 e6, 4. f3 d5, 5. e4! +=
If black captures twice then white will get good play against the e6 pawn and down the f file. If not then he can choose between supporting his centre with Bd3 (after defending the d pawn), or advancing with e5 (c.f. the French defence!).
1.d4 Nf6, 2.c4 c5,
The benoni
This is a very sharp opening so watch your step! If 3. d5 b5 then play 4. a4. Don't ask why, it just works! Otherwise I reccomend a kingside fianchetto.
1. d4 Nf6, 2. c4 c5, 3. d5 e6, 4. Nc3 ed, 5. cd d6, 6. g3 g6, 7. Bg2+=
White will advance with e4, f4, and e5, after developing all his pieces to active squares and castling kingside. Blacks counterplay can be limited/controlled by responding to a6 with the immediate a4.
