I need a defense to 1. d4!
As I play people with higher ratings, I have started to see 1. d4 more often, and realize that I often end up with a horribly crippled queenside. To improve at my defense, I'm going to play d4 as white for a while to get a sense for its weaker spots. I've ordered Cox's book to help me build up a little d4 repertoire. One thing I do know: I don't like the Queen's gambit accepted, which unfortunately is the recommendation in Rizzitano's book. Any good books out there for black against 1. d4 that do not employ the QGA or any funky fianchetto hypermodern crazy principles?
posted by Blue Devil Knight at 10/30/2006 06:08:00 PM
18 Comments:
Cox's repertoire is very theoretical, i'm afraid!! Cox is proud to offer a "GM repertoire", but the price for such quality is relatively heavy theory.
Classical defenses to 1.d4:
Kenilworthian has 3 articles on Lasker QGD, but the problem is white players usu play 4.cxd5 exhcange or not even 2.c4 at all.
Silman has an article about Tartakower QGD
Finally there is the Tarrasch, d5 e6 c5 against everything- you get active pieces. sample games and pdf overview. The book is "Meeting 1d4" by aagaard & lund.
There is no defense! Yield to me Knave!
Heh, play 1...d5. If he plays 2.c4 then the Orthodox QGD, the Tarrasch, the Semi-slav can all be played.
The Nimzo-Indian can also arise. . .prepare them all, young padawan. . .
Man there goes j'adoube Tarrasch talking again . 8)
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1003670
oh yeah here you go
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1007782
Patrick: yes, I have seen that criticism of his book, that the lines are very technical. But the book was so highly praised, and the lines consistently considered very good, that I thought I'd have a look. The Silman piece is very good, but I wanted a little more detail (I have been using his repertoire).
The Tarrasch looks very interesting. I'll take a look at Aargaard's book.
Jim: thanks for the suggestions. I'll let you know what Cox suggests.
Takchess: Thanks I'll check out those links.
I play the Fajarowicz variation of the Budapest gambit which is pretty solid.
Tim Harding has written a nice article about it http://www.chesscafe.com/text/kibitz19.txt
I'm also pretty helpless against 1. d4. Fortunately, I've seen it only once in 25 OTB games. I'm sure there's more of it in my future, however. I too have seen Silman's article, and try to just play his basic ideas, but often get myself in trouble.
Anyway, I'd also appreciate recommendations for beginner responses to 1. d4.
Also: you mention that you want to stay away from the QGA. Is there any particular reason for that? I know nothing about it, but somehow I feel like most people who play c4 are going to be expecting you to play the QGD, so maybe QGA might not be a bad idea?
Zweiblumen: mainly, using what seem to be natural moves, I often end up cramped and in serious trouble with the QGA. I prefer an opening where natural-seeming moves lead me to a reasonable middle game. The lines are a bit sharp and unforgiving for my taste.
I am checking out a few books, and will post when I find what I like. I am seriously considering the Nimzo-Indian. Since my knight belongs on f6 anyway, why not put him there right away. Also, at my patzer level, it will probably throw a few people off guard who always expect 1...d5.
While not a book on openings, Chernev's "Logical Chess Move by Move" is divided up into 1.e4 and 1.d4 sections. He really does a nice job of explaining what white's ideas are, and what the critical squares are. It's pretty easy to get through. Again, not an opening treatise, but definitely something to get yourself started.
Once you've done that, I say....BUDAPEST GAMBIT! HUZZAH! MUWHAHAAHA. It totally rules. I love playing it, and try to every chance I get.
Jim is right ;-).
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I am a d4 guy. Looking at Black responses from other players higher rated than me there seems to be a trend: they know their moves, ideas, and themes deeper than I know the my side. In other words, it doesn't matter what defense you play as Black!
I play the Lasker often as Black. Many folks say that the Lasker defense variation of QGD is drawish and beginners and might learn more by playing something sharp. *SHRUG*. I think there is something to be said for learning solid, blunder-free chess.
The ideal might be to first have something solid memorized like the Lasker, then something sharper like the Budapest Gambit, and finally something strategic like the Benko Gambit.
One note about Nimzo-Indian: alot of White players put in an early a3, getting Black off of his favorite lines. IMO Both that defense and Gruenfeld seem to be crushing if White blindly walks into poor variations and not so great when White is well prepared.
I would say the benko gambit. Your a pawn down but what you get is a very dynamic position as black, and difficult for white to play. Gambit publications - Guide to the Benko Gambit by Steffen Pedersen.
have you tried the new chess media dvd`s by chessbase?
i recommend the nimzo/queens indian against d4..
Jacob Aagaad has made the nimzo indian the easy way dvd and it is fantastic
go to www.chessbase.com
I have been playing around with the Dutch. There are a bunch of variations and I am trying to figure out which ones suit me. I have been playing the classical and Alekhine variations recently. I like it because the king's knight is behind the kings pawn like in the bishop's, which you play if I rember correctly. When things go well you get early king side pressure that turns into an attack or that allows you to undermine the center later in the game.
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Lasker's Defense is for you. Silman has a nice article and Kenilworth chess club's web site has a great series on Lasker's Defense. It is all you need.
Against weaker players Tartakowers QGD is suggested by Kenilworth.
Kasperov's CD on the Queens Gambit is a joy for learning.
Remember, strive to play c5. Only this will give you a free game.
I always play 1...e3 inviting the French. Black goes on the offense (safely) on the second move. Chessbase's 'The French Defense" CD by Ziegler is great - all you need- as he teaches you the ideas.
Lastley, you must master tactics. Chess Art 3.0 CD is the way to learn. Cheap and there is a demo. All is lost if you do not master tactics.
Learning the openings is a distant second compared to studying tactics.
Two other books to will complete a magnificent chess teaching library.
sadfg
hat: yes, this whole blog was devoted to following my study of tactics above all else. Thanks for the tip on the opening.
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