Anything but the Sicilian
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I'm a Sicilian B32 man myself... mainly because the first chess book I ever bought was Winning With The Kalashnikov by Neil McDonald. I had no use for it at the time, but it was for sale at a used book store for $3. So I picked it up and now it's beginning to pay off.
try the french defense i know other people like it! because they commented on it to.
A few people mentioned 1...Nf6 the Alekhine this is a good choise that you can use everytime you see 1. e4 (American GM Alexander Shabalov has some nice games with it, look at any modern GM who plays it-even occasionally. Lev Alburt used to play it a lot.) . As a 1.e4 player I can say this is one of more annoying moves to prepare for reasons that probably have a lot to do with my own weaknesses.
I know! The Sicilian!
You're probably getting sick of reading these kind of remarks, but mine hopefully has a fresh twist--play the Sicilian, but play for an Accelerated Dragon configuration for black. You can use the accelerated dragon (not the dragon proper, which sounds like you want to avoid for its ultra-sharp lines) in many different variations of the Sicilian. Like the Caro-Kahn, it's probably one of the most stable of Sicilian choices for black with a lot of flexibility, yet affording a lot of imbalances and tactical chances. Check it out in Lev Alburt's "Chess Openings for Black" book. This does require a bit of learning, but it's more about concepts rather than move memorization. I disagree with those above who tell you the French is easy to learn. There is a tremendous amount to know in this labyrinth-like opening. If you aren't daunted by that challenge, you may want to pursue the French which can be highly positional in nature, or highly tactical depending on what variations the game steers itself into. Good luck and have fun in your e4 search reply...
Ericmittens, when you play the French and face the exchange variation, do you castle queenside? When I play the French, I love to see the exchange because it's easy to mount a big kingside attack by castling queenside. There's nothing boring in those positions.
I know how you feel, I don't particularly like the Sicilian. Or more precisely I don't like memorizing variations a mile long...I'm still looking for an opening to play against 1.e4. Right now I play the French; every time I see the exchange variation I want to strangle my opponent, though I'll keep your suggestions in mind Fromper.
OSIRIS_007 wrote: I know how you feel, I don't particularly like the Sicilian. Or more precisely I don't like memorizing variations a mile long...I'm still looking for an opening to play against 1.e4. Right now I play the French; every time I see the exchange variation I want to strangle my opponent, though I'll keep your suggestions in mind Fromper.
It seems like Loomis and I think alike about the French Exchange. Most French players hate it, but I think that's because everyone assumes you have to fight for an attack up the open e file. That doesn't work because both players will end up doing the same thing and you end up with an even, boring position. Instead, castle queen side and start marching your king side pawns up the board. You might not win, but it definitely won't be boring.
--Fromper
french advance or caro-kann panov botvinnik attack. pirc austrian is also good enough.
I`m for an aggressive defence. Keep the opponent on his toes. So the best one is e5.
The only 2 things you should watch for are the white lined bishop and, of course, the queen. I try to exchange the white bishop in the early stage. His knights have no advantage, and are very predictable if you put up the c and f peons.
Ah, yes...DO NOT forget to folow this move with Kf6, and d7. After that, all should be on ure side...
Loomis wrote: Ericmittens, when you play the French and face the exchange variation, do you castle queenside? When I play the French, I love to see the exchange because it's easy to mount a big kingside attack by castling queenside. There's nothing boring in those positions.
I like to castle queenside when white plays 4.Bd3, in other move orders its less prudent.
In any case, castling queenside is often the only way to bring any life to the position I agree.
I don't know which level you play, but I actually find the Sicilian pretty comfortable/easy to play as black... it's not as cramped as the French sometimes gets, and i feel like I have plenty of room to maneuver my pieces - and I haven't read much theory. Of course I should mention I'm playing at around 1550, and I'm sure each move is of greater importance at the level you play. But if you really can't find another system you like, I'd say just play and play until you feel right about it... after all there's a reason why its so popular :)
sicilian is the way to go
Dec 28, 2007
0
#35
erad1288 wrote:
I have been fighting with myself for quite a while trying to find a defense that is positionally unbalanced with dynamic chances for black against e4. I know the first thing people tell me is "sicilian" "sicilian" but I don't quite have desire to spend months booking up on highly tactical lines which if not completely known and understood will lead to a quick defeat. I tried out the Caro-Kann, but tends to be quite boring with few chances to put white under even if white makes the "little mistakes". So my question is what opening/openings would allow for an interesting game with reasonable chances for black to go for a win in the middlegame? Thanks again.
The French defence allows for a lot of counterattacking and is very sound - play the Winawer against 3.Nc3 and you'll have your share of wins.
If you're okay to play some offbeat defences, you could also try : the Elephant Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5!?), the latvian (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5!?), the Alekhine Mokele M'benbe (1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ne4?!?), the Scandinavian gambit (1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6).
All in all the Sicilian remains the best choice to get dynamic counterchances, but I won't insist more 
tbirdtird wrote: A few people mentioned 1...Nf6 the Alekhine this is a good choise that you can use everytime you see 1. e4 (American GM Alexander Shabalov has some nice games with it, look at any modern GM who plays it-even occasionally. Lev Alburt used to play it a lot.) . As a 1.e4 player I can say this is one of more annoying moves to prepare for reasons that probably have a lot to do with my own weaknesses.
2.Bc4 worth a glance. 2...Nxe4 3.Bxf7+ follwed by Qa5+. Its not great but may uncomfort some lower graded players in blitz :) after all, if you play this line, you have nothing really to study against alekhine, so you cant expect 100% win rate against higher graded players. can be fun tho.
regarding the question being asked in the thread, i must join one of those people who recommends the sicilian. Its the most interesting opening imo, lots of scope in it too. i think its blacks best bite against white as you can punish white more for poor moves.
For the OP,
http://www.kenilworthchessclub.org/kenilworthian/2005/08/1e4-e5-2nf3-nf6-3nxe5-nxe4.html
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nxe4 "White must be prepared for a sharp struggle followed by a long endgame in order to carry the point. He must also avoid a few traps, as the game and the analysis show".