Answers.Body: <p>You seem to enjoy tactical play, so there are a few options for you against <code>1. d4</code>. As it appears you prefer gambits over other openings, consider looking at the relatively offbeat <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Gambit" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Budapest Gambit</a> which is characterized by the opening moves <code>1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5</code> where after <code>3. dxe5</code> black can reply with either <code>3...Ne4</code> or <code>3...Ng4</code> with the latter being more popular. That being said, the Budapest is rooted in strategic themes, and the King's Indian Defense is certainly regarded as the one of the most aggressive replies to <code>1. d4</code>. </p>
  
  <p>For a more mainstream approach, I would recommend the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%BCnfeld_Defence" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Grunfeld</a> as a great hypermodern choice. It's highly regarded from the amateur to world class levels. The general idea is to allow white to build up a center and then target it as a weakness, and the positional themes that arise in the middlegame focus primarily on undermining the pawns on e4 and d4.</p>
  
  <p>For a more comprehensive response, please reference this <a href="https://chess.stackexchange.com/a/762/1382">excellent answer</a> to a generalization of your question.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-06-27T16:22:06.490Z
Answers.Text: Looks like some of those could transpose into the alekhine "knights are in trouble" defence, which I'm a bit scared of.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Anonymous Entity
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-06-27T19:10:54.083Z
Answers.Text: I would disagree - the knights aren't really in trouble at all. Indeed, it is usually white who has to tread more carefully in the opening to avoid mistakes. Just be comfortable with the lines and ideas and the knights will look less overextended and more strategic.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Andrew Ng
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-07-30T16:30:03.920Z
Answers.Text: +1 for the Budapest ... been playing it in tournaments for years with good success
Answers.UserDisplayName: JP Alioto
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-06-27T13:35:08.030Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-06-27T17:03:24.457Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2017-04-13T12:48:53.737Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Andrew Ng
Answers.Body: <p>Additionally to Andrew's answer, I'd suggest to have a look at the Benko Gambit (a.k.a. Volga Gambit):</p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN ""]
  
  1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>It is a sound and deep opening. If the gambit is accepted, it leads to sharp play and dynamic positions.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-06-28T11:54:06.197Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-06-28T11:54:06.197Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Landei
Answers.Body: <p>I like to play Benoni, because black has many chances to win. Also it is very asymmetrical from the pawn structure, so the chance to play draw isn't really high.</p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN ""]
  
  1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>You just have to be careful, with the white d pawn. Never ever let it to <code>d6</code>.</p>
  
  <p>You will play <code>g6</code> with <code>Bg7</code>. If everything goes right, you will play <code>a6</code> and <code>b5</code>.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-07-23T17:10:34.060Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-07-23T17:10:34.060Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Niklas
Answers.Body: <p>An aggressive opening against d4 is the Dutch defense, or f5. Black tries to get a king side attack against White to offset the latter's moves on the queenside, kind of the opposite of the usual sequence. In the 20th century, it was used by aggressive players like Rudolph Spielman.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-07-04T00:11:30.993Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-07-04T00:11:30.993Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Tom Au
Answers.Body: <p>This is going to be kind of general, because there's a lot of territory to explore, and space limitations reduce me to doing not much more than pointing at some of the landmarks.</p>
  
  <p>There might be something for you in either the Cambridge Springs or the Vienna Variation of the QGD. I know, the Queen's Gambit Declined is thought to be so barren, but both of these (as well as the Meran in the Semi-slav) can create some serious tactical threats.</p>
  
  <p>With Cambridge Springs the early Queen sortie to a5 creates some interesting threats not only on the queen-side but against a white Bishop on g5 as well. It's quite easy for White to drop material if they're unaware. (The most famous of those is the simple trap: 1 d4 d5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 4 Bg5 Nbd7 when attempts to win the pawn result in white losing a piece: 5 cd5 ed5 6 Nxd5 Nxd5 7 Bxd8 Bb4!) But there are plenty more.</p>
  
  <pre><code>[fen ""]
  1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Nxd5 Nxd5 7. Bxd8 Bb4
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>With all the QGD lines, though, you need to have something to stir up trouble against the exchange variations. If you look at that line and can't find anything you like, then I'd recommend staying away from them and trying for something like a Nimzo-indian beginning that transposes into the QGD lines (like the Vienna) later. (Black begins with something like Nf6 and e6 or b6 with a d5 coming later, on the 3rd or fourth move.)</p>
  
  <p>When you start digging in, you might find some lesser-known sidelines (Manhattan variation?) that create enough tension to keep you satisfied. You might even find you like them as much as e-pawn lines. Look at games by Grandmasters like Larry Christensen who create lots of attacking positions from d-pawn openings.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-10-29T22:17:10.847Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-10-29T22:17:10.847Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Arlen
Answers.Body: <p>Several people have recommended the Budapest Gambit, which I would second. It's fun, easy to play, and, while there aren't a lot of lines, it is both tactically and positionally rich. If White knows what they are doing, they won't get trapped, but it also won't leave you unbalanced or vulnerable.</p>
  
  <p>I would also recommend that you look at the <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chigorin_Defense" rel="nofollow">Chigorin Defense</a> to the Queen's Gambit (1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6).  It's quite sharp and good for an attacking player, as it can swiftly unbalance White, or at least dictate the style or tempo of play.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-07-07T00:26:04.630Z
Answers.Text: Trouble is, there are plenty of lines for White in the Budapest that just lead to a simple advantageous middle game.  It's only a good thing to play at low levels against opponents who won't have prepared a response.
Answers.UserDisplayName: M.M
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Answers.CreationDate: 2016-07-06T04:08:04.423Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2016-07-06T04:08:04.423Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: rougon
Answers.Body: <p>Grunfeld or KID top level.</p>
  
  <p>Dutch isn't a number 1 choice.</p>
  
  <p>Benoni is hard to play in the middlegame, and I used to play it with poor results.</p>
  
  <p>Slav can be sharp or solid. However, pretty much the only lines that are aggressive and tactical are the semi-Slav botvinnik lines and stuff. Well, what if white plays exchange slav?  </p>
  
  <p>Play Grunfeld or KID. Or, play the Budapest gambit until you reach 2200 or higher. That's when you want to play the Grunfeld or KID. Both are aggressive.</p>
  
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Answers.CreationDate: 2016-05-31T08:23:37.317Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2016-05-31T08:32:51.580Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2016-05-31T08:32:51.580Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Hunt
Answers.Body: <p>Obviously, the Dutch and Tarrasch are your best choices. The Dutch is similar to the openings you named: King's gambit, Latvian and KID. </p>
  
  <p>The KID, Grunfeld, Benoni and Benko all require a lot of theory. The Dutch reaches similar positions with vastly less time spent on learning openings. </p>
  
  <p>Openings like the Budapest are fine but require a very specific move order which means you'll have to learn another opening if white doesn't choose that specific move order.   </p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-10-26T01:31:56.923Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-10-26T01:31:56.923Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Savage47
Answers.Body: <p>The Budapest Gambit is a lot of fun to play and catches people by surprise. It is full of traps for black. 
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-07-06T06:40:21.360Z
Answers.Text: Welcome to Chess SE! Unfortunately, this doesn't really add any value to this [existing answer](http://chess.stackexchange.com/a/2516/7297)z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Glorfindel
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Answers.CreationDate: 2016-07-05T21:19:53.277Z
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Answers.UserDisplayName: Marsha Rupe
Body: <p>I like the King's Gambit a lot, and even the Latvian Gambit as black (with dubious results), so my style is very aggressive openings with potentially sharp lines and hack n' slash type of tactical sacrifice lines. However as black when facing the <code>1.d4</code> opening from white I'm unsure what to do, and just try to play some kind of King's Indian Defence, which seems solid, but I almost never get my pieces lined up as nicely as <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/kingscrusher" rel="noreferrer">Kingscrusher</a> does.</p>
  
  <p>So what are some good offensive lines to play against <code>1. d4</code>?</p>
  
Tags: <opening><aggressive-play><1.d4>
Title: Looking for an aggressive opening for black vs 1. d4
ThreadText: # Looking for an aggressive opening for black vs 1. d4
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2013-06-27)
  
  I like the King's Gambit a lot, and even the Latvian Gambit as black (with dubious results), so my style is very aggressive openings with potentially sharp lines and hack n' slash type of tactical sacrifice lines. However as black when facing the `1.d4` opening from white I'm unsure what to do, and just try to play some kind of King's Indian Defence, which seems solid, but I almost never get my pieces lined up as nicely as [Kingscrusher](http://www.youtube.com/user/kingscrusher) does.
  
  So what are some good offensive lines to play against `1. d4`?
  
  **Tags:** opening, aggressive-play, 1.d4
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 9 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2013-06-27. Score: 12
  
  You seem to enjoy tactical play, so there are a few options for you against `1. d4`. As it appears you prefer gambits over other openings, consider looking at the relatively offbeat [Budapest Gambit](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Gambit) which is characterized by the opening moves `1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5` where after `3. dxe5` black can reply with either `3...Ne4` or `3...Ng4` with the latter being more popular. That being said, the Budapest is rooted in strategic themes, and the King's Indian Defense is certainly regarded as the one of the most aggressive replies to `1. d4`.
  
  For a more mainstream approach, I would recommend the [Grunfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%BCnfeld_Defence) as a great hypermodern choice. It's highly regarded from the amateur to world class levels. The general idea is to allow white to build up a center and then target it as a weakness, and the positional themes that arise in the middlegame focus primarily on undermining the pawns on e4 and d4.
  
  For a more comprehensive response, please reference this [excellent answer](https://chess.stackexchange.com/a/762/1382) to a generalization of your question.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Looks like some of those could transpose into the alekhine "knights are in trouble" defence, which I'm a bit scared of.  
  > **username_1**: I would disagree - the knights aren't really in trouble at all. Indeed, it is usually white who has to tread more carefully in the opening to avoid mistakes. Just be comfortable with the lines and ideas and the knights will look less overextended and more strategic.  
  > **username_2**: +1 for the Budapest ... been playing it in tournaments for years with good success  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2013-06-28. Score: 12
  
  Additionally to Andrew's answer, I'd suggest to have a look at the Benko Gambit (a.k.a. Volga Gambit):
  [FEN ""]
  
  1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5
  
  It is a sound and deep opening. If the gambit is accepted, it leads to sharp play and dynamic positions.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2013-07-23. Score: 12
  
  I like to play Benoni, because black has many chances to win. Also it is very asymmetrical from the pawn structure, so the chance to play draw isn't really high.
  [FEN ""]
  
  1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6
  
  You just have to be careful, with the white d pawn. Never ever let it to d6.
  You will play g6 with Bg7. If everything goes right, you will play a6 and b5.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_5 on 2013-07-04. Score: 5
  
  An aggressive opening against d4 is the Dutch defense, or f5. Black tries to get a king side attack against White to offset the latter's moves on the queenside, kind of the opposite of the usual sequence. In the 20th century, it was used by aggressive players like Rudolph Spielman.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2019-10-29. Score: 4
  
  This is going to be kind of general, because there's a lot of territory to explore, and space limitations reduce me to doing not much more than pointing at some of the landmarks.
  There might be something for you in either the Cambridge Springs or the Vienna Variation of the QGD. I know, the Queen's Gambit Declined is thought to be so barren, but both of these (as well as the Meran in the Semi-slav) can create some serious tactical threats.
  With Cambridge Springs the early Queen sortie to a5 creates some interesting threats not only on the queen-side but against a white Bishop on g5 as well. It's quite easy for White to drop material if they're unaware. (The most famous of those is the simple trap: 1 d4 d5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 4 Bg5 Nbd7 when attempts to win the pawn result in white losing a piece: 5 cd5 ed5 6 Nxd5 Nxd5 7 Bxd8 Bb4!) But there are plenty more.
  [fen ""]
  1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Nxd5 Nxd5 7. Bxd8 Bb4
  
  With all the QGD lines, though, you need to have something to stir up trouble against the exchange variations. If you look at that line and can't find anything you like, then I'd recommend staying away from them and trying for something like a Nimzo-indian beginning that transposes into the QGD lines (like the Vienna) later. (Black begins with something like Nf6 and e6 or b6 with a d5 coming later, on the 3rd or fourth move.)
  When you start digging in, you might find some lesser-known sidelines (Manhattan variation?) that create enough tension to keep you satisfied. You might even find you like them as much as e-pawn lines. Look at games by Grandmasters like Larry Christensen who create lots of attacking positions from d-pawn openings.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_7 on 2016-07-06. Score: 2
  
  Several people have recommended the Budapest Gambit, which I would second. It's fun, easy to play, and, while there aren't a lot of lines, it is both tactically and positionally rich. If White knows what they are doing, they won't get trapped, but it also won't leave you unbalanced or vulnerable.
  
  I would also recommend that you look at the [Chigorin Defense](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chigorin_Defense) to the Queen's Gambit (1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6). It's quite sharp and good for an attacking player, as it can swiftly unbalance White, or at least dictate the style or tempo of play.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_8**: Trouble is, there are plenty of lines for White in the Budapest that just lead to a simple advantageous middle game.  It's only a good thing to play at low levels against opponents who won't have prepared a response.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_9 on 2016-05-31. Score: 1
  
  Grunfeld or KID top level.
  
  Dutch isn't a number 1 choice.
  
  Benoni is hard to play in the middlegame, and I used to play it with poor results.
  
  Slav can be sharp or solid. However, pretty much the only lines that are aggressive and tactical are the semi-Slav botvinnik lines and stuff. Well, what if white plays exchange slav?
  
  Play Grunfeld or KID. Or, play the Budapest gambit until you reach 2200 or higher. That's when you want to play the Grunfeld or KID. Both are aggressive.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_10 on 2019-10-26. Score: 1
  
  Obviously, the Dutch and Tarrasch are your best choices. The Dutch is similar to the openings you named: King's gambit, Latvian and KID.
  
  The KID, Grunfeld, Benoni and Benko all require a lot of theory. The Dutch reaches similar positions with vastly less time spent on learning openings.
  
  Openings like the Budapest are fine but require a very specific move order which means you'll have to learn another opening if white doesn't choose that specific move order.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_11 on 2016-07-05. Score: 1
  
  The Budapest Gambit is a lot of fun to play and catches people by surprise. It is full of traps for black.
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_12**: Welcome to Chess SE! Unfortunately, this doesn't really add any value to this [existing answer](http://chess.stackexchange.com/a/2516/7297)z  
  
  ---
  
  