1. d4 is one of White's two most common first moves. It tends to produce closed games.
4
votes
2answers
93 views
What are the common themes in the Catalan?
I have looked over some of the main lines of the Catalan in MCO-15 and feel pretty lost as to what's going on in them. What are some of the key positions and goals for either side? Or is the opening ...
3
votes
5answers
151 views
Switching from 1.e4 to 1.d4?
I've only played 1.e4 as white so far (in clubs, tournaments, online, everywhere!), in the past 5 years since I learned chess. And it has been very fun, but I want to explore the dark side as well, as ...
5
votes
1answer
135 views
What are the main ideas and goals in the Queen's Indian Defense?
There's no real surprise when it comes to the strategy for the King's Indian Defence: storm white's king side, maybe sac a few things, and mate (ideally).
But what does a practitioner of the QID hope ...
6
votes
1answer
100 views
Early f3 in d4 openings?
Are these openings playable for white? I use the first move order to counter my friend's very well prepared Benoni, and manage to whoop him many times, but its only in blitz. I was wondering if early ...
7
votes
2answers
373 views
What is a good French-like defense against d4?
I enjoy playing the French Defence as black against 1. e4, for the following reasons.
It often creates a closed position without wild tactics
It takes white away from the more familiar lines (1... ...
