Expert: Chuck Kinzie - 9/11/2008

Question
Hello again from Paul.

I will be starting to play in tournaments regularly starting this week, and i plan to play d4 a bit.

Thus, my question. In your experience, which responses to d4 should a player rated below 1400 and expecting competition of similar skill be most concerned about?

Thanks

Answer
Hello again Paul!

If you open with 1 d4, then the most common responses are 1...d5 and 1...Nf6.

If you play 2 c4 after 1...d5, then Black will probably play either 2...e6 or 2...c6.  In either case, you can play 3 cxd5, and after Black recaptures on d5 with a pawn, then both sides can develop their pieces easily, but White keeps some advantage because of his extra tempo by virtue of making the first move in the game.

If Black plays 1...Nf6, then after 2 c4 Black will probably play either 2...e6 or 2...g6.

Here are two examples:

Nimzo-Indian Defense:  1 d4 Nf6  2 c4 e6  3 Nc3 Bb4  4 e3.  (This is the solid Rubinstein Variation.)

King's Indian Defense:  1 d4 Nf6  2 c4 g6  3 Nc3 Bg7  4 e4 d6  5 Nf3 O-O  6 Be2.  White has a nice space advantage.

Another popular defense is the Dutch Defense:  1 d4 f5.  A sharp, promising line for White is the Staunton Gambit:  2 e4 fxe5  3 Nc3.  White gives up a pawn to gain a lead in development and good attacking chances.

Hope that helps!  Good luck!

-Chuck