Answers.Body: <p>It sounds like you are drawn to the pirc so try it out and see.  The pirc/modern is very flexible and if you play the king's indian that you can transpose into that if White plays c4 to make a universal system.  </p>
  
  <p>I like the fluidity of being able to see how my opponent sets up first and then respond.  I like the dynamic potential.  Rather than backward black's position feels like a "coiled spring" ready to lash out.  I haven't been blown off the board with e2-e4-e5 and h2-h4-h5 in a while so I think I am getting the hang of the direct assault lines.  </p>
  
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Answers.Text: Thanks for the answer, Michael. The possible transposition into a King's Indian makes it even more interesting!
Answers.UserDisplayName: lafinur
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Answers.UserDisplayName: Michael West
Answers.Body: <p>I recommend e6 Sicilians.  You could even use the move order 1.e4 e6 2.d4 c5.  There are a lot of transpositional possibilities.   If you look at some great player who played the French a lot, see what other defense they used;  Petrosian for example.</p>
  
  <p>It is important to have some Sicilian understanding and if you are in a must win situation against a White player who wants a draw then the Sicilian is a must. </p>
  
  <p>What you play against d4 openings could also steer your choice.  For example, if you play the King's Indian Defense, then Pirc/Modern lines could have some knowledge overlap.  If you play the Slav, then the Caro-Khan makes since...</p>
  
  <p>Another important element is what will you enjoy studying.  Personally I played the Najdorf Sicilian exclusively for a long time, but I loved Tiger's Modern (a repertoire book by Tiger Hillarp Persson) so much I adopted the Modern (There is a newer edition called The Modern Tiger).</p>
  
  <p>here is a recent book with good reviews for you:
  The Sicilian Taimanov (Grandmaster Repertoire)
  by Antonios Pavlidis | Sep 7, 2019</p>
  
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Answers.CreationDate: 2020-02-17T21:53:23.790Z
Answers.Text: An excellent answer to my questions, thank you very much for your insight and the book recommendation, I will definitely check it out. You made good favoring the Sicilian too, so I'm starting to consider it. Thanks!
Answers.UserDisplayName: lafinur
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Answers.Text: This is a great answer.  I highly recommend Tiger's books as well.  The first book is a classic I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys chess books.  The second book is expanded and more up-to-date.  Before I played the KID/pirc/modern I played the Slav/Caro but found it harder to play for a win from a caro then the pirc.  Probably I never understood the caro well enough.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Michael West
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Answers.UserDisplayName: Ywapom
Answers.Body: <p>I see your point clearly and I was once in your place as well in deciding the right opening for me. I would hate to choose the character of the position over objectivity. There are only 4 objectively sound replies to 1. e4. Those being 1...e5, 1...e6, 1...c5, and 1...c6. All the others are in theory suboptimal. I would say that the best way to get a flexible position is to not contest the center with the pawns and the most extreme version of this is the Hippo(Not the best choice). If you got good results with the french you should also with the Caro-Kann and it's a little more flexible. Remember to choose objectivity over character.</p>
  
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Answers.Text: Thanks SubhanKhan, I suppose what you say about flexibility comming up from the hipermodern approach of not contesting the center with pawns, but rather with the pieces, is true, since you are not making any pawn-structure compromises early on in the game. Thank you for the good insight!
Answers.UserDisplayName: lafinur
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Answers.Text: "There are only 4 objectively sound replies to 1. e4. Those being 1...e5, 1...e6, 1...c5, and 1...c6" - Can you tell me how the Pirc, Modern, Alekhine, Scandanavian and Nimzovich have been refuted?
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ian Bush
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Answers.Text: @Ian Bush can you then tell me why the Pirc, Modern, Alekhine, Scandanavian, and Nimzowich aren't played at the top level? They, of course, haven't been refuted, but they are suboptimal.
Answers.UserDisplayName: SubhanKhan
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Answers.CreationDate: 2020-02-18T16:02:40.233Z
Answers.Text: Quoting James Vigus FM in The Pirc in Black and White: "In elite all-play-all tournaments in which a draw with Black is a good result, the Pirc - like the Scandinavian or Alekhine defence - is not a good percentage choice" "There is in reality one set of theory for super-GMs, and another for everyone else"  Also Ponomariov "The Pirc was one of my main openings ... especially when I had to win not only with White but also WITH BLACK" (Empasis mine). If a good result is a draw the Pirc is not the best choice. But in a Swiss where Black wins are needed it is fine. For most this is more relevant.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ian Bush
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Answers.UserDisplayName: SubhanKhan
Answers.Body: <p>You want too much.  </p>
  
  <p>Either play d6  or the sicilian. 
  Else just play e5   when they play e4.</p>
  
  <p>in spite of erroneous claims e5 is as solid a defense as any other first move and it gives you those different positions you say you prefer over the limited french strategy type positions. </p>
  
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Answers.Text: Hard to understand what you mean by me "wanting too much". And you talk as if d6, the sicilian and e5 are the only truly considerable alternatives, which might be an overstatement. But yes, of course e5 is as solid as any other good defense, I'm considering it. Thanks.
Answers.UserDisplayName: lafinur
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Answers.Text: What is wanted is not possible.  You cant have flexibility without having many variations.  d6 e5 and sicilian are the best options if you do not like the french limitations.
Answers.UserDisplayName: edwina oliver
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Answers.Text: I'm okay with many variations, I don't have a problem with that. It's only the sicilian that goes a little bit beyond "many variations", it's a whole world.
Answers.UserDisplayName: lafinur
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Answers.Text: true that has a LOT of them but so does 1...e5
Answers.UserDisplayName: edwina oliver
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Answers.UserDisplayName: edwina oliver
Body: <p>When defending against 1. e4, I'm a French Defense player. I enjoy the French Defense very much, and my win rate with it is fairly good. Lately, though, I've been wanting to explore new defenses, only to spice my game up (I'm getting bored of the typical positions that come out of the french, as wild as some of them may be).</p>
  
  <p>I consider the french to be solid, yet not flexible. By this I mean that the usual French setups are hard to break and resilient, but offer little strategical freedom (this is, there are few logical strategical plans that actually fit the position). It is as if I'm playing all my games with the same two or three long-term plans, not because of lack of imagination, but because this are the plans that usually emerge as logical in the typical positions.</p>
  
  <p>In opposition to this, I'm looking for a new defense that prioritizes flexibility above all, even if not as solid as the french.  An opening that offers a wide variety of strategical ideas and creative play. The Sicilian is a candidate, but there are too many variations to learn and I'm not interested on it at the moment. I'm considering also the Pirc Defense, which I believe to be also flexible enough. </p>
  
  <p>Can anyone recommend a flexible defense against 1. e4? Comments on the mere ideas of flexibility/solidity in the defensive setup are welcome too, as of course these relates to the actual question.</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2020-02-17T04:17:08.757Z
Comments.Text: I am actually in the same boat as you. I'm a French player but branching out. Idk what level you are playing at but you may want to look at some of the 2. ...e6 Sicilian lines. The Taimanov and Paulsen/Kan are very dynamic and fascinating (and will not be THAT unfamiliar if you play the French).
Comments.UserDisplayName: rougon
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Comments.CreationDate: 2020-02-17T04:25:17.820Z
Comments.Text: To be frank, your question is not logical: You want a flexible opening with a wide variety of strategic plans, yet the Sicilian requires you to learn too many variations? The fact is that if you want that much variety, it will require many different variations, and the Sicilian is perfect. The same thing for 1.e4 e5, which also leads to many different positions, but there is so much theory. Maybe you should just add another opening like the Caro.
Comments.UserDisplayName: PhishMaster
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Comments.CreationDate: 2020-02-17T04:25:30.270Z
Comments.Text: Let's face it, there are only four solid choices against 1.e4: 1...e5, 1...c5, 1...c6, and 1...e6. All the rest are questionable as far as I am concerned, so pick one. If you want variety, you are going to have to learn a lot.
Comments.UserDisplayName: PhishMaster
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Comments.CreationDate: 2020-02-17T16:31:33.133Z
Comments.Text: Let me be clear, for I think I did not express myself properly: I'm okay with learning many variations, but the Sicilian Defense, in particular, is too much of a whole world in itself, and I don't have the time nor the desire to study it deeply at the moment. There's a difference between learning many variations, which I'm fine with, and learning many variations of the many types of sicilians that can emerge, which are just too much. The Sicilian (I think) goes a little bit beyond "many variations", it's overwhelming.
Comments.UserDisplayName: lafinur
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Comments.CreationDate: 2020-02-17T16:32:55.893Z
Comments.Text: For example, on the Modern Defense, I would have to learn the variations that can emerge from the Modern defense on itself, and not from the A Modern, B Modern, C Modern, ..., and so on from different types of Modern defenses (unlike the Sicilian, with the Taimanov Sicilian, Paulsen Sicilian, Najdorf Sicilian, etc.)
Comments.UserDisplayName: lafinur
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2020-02-17T16:34:18.980Z
Comments.Text: As a last note, yes, perhaps e4, e5, c5, c6 and e6 are the only truly solid alternatives, but I'm looking to prioritize flexibility over solidity. That's what the question is all about. Sorry if I didn't make myself clear on that matter.
Comments.UserDisplayName: lafinur
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Comments.CreationDate: 2020-02-17T16:51:17.193Z
Comments.Text: @lafinur From your description, the Caro might indeed not be that fitting, although it's really [playable and sound](https://chess.stackexchange.com/q/27979/3594) as a system, so I'd still give it a try. And why not give a fair share of try to the Pirc, and to get started and develop a feel for its underlying ideas I definitely recommend watching the [Seirawan lecture on it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJmjt9GGhA8) (a true expert of the Pirc). Do bear in mind that both these system can have strange learning curves, so make sure to balance study and practice to develop a real feel for them.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Ellie
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Comments.CreationDate: 2020-02-17T17:15:56.423Z
Comments.Text: It was actually that lecture which made me consider the Pirc! Thanks for the great insight, @Phonon!
Comments.UserDisplayName: lafinur
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Comments.CreationDate: 2020-02-17T19:57:53.453Z
Comments.Text: The Sicilian *is* a flexible defence against e4. Even the Najdorf alone has so many possibilities without having to know all variations. Just because there are a lot of variations possible in one line of defence doesn't mean you have to study them all at once.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Mast
Tags: <french-defense><1.e4><defense>
Title: Flexibility over solidity? Defending against 1. e4
ThreadText: # Flexibility over solidity? Defending against 1. e4
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2020-02-17)
  
  When defending against 1. e4, I'm a French Defense player. I enjoy the French Defense very much, and my win rate with it is fairly good. Lately, though, I've been wanting to explore new defenses, only to spice my game up (I'm getting bored of the typical positions that come out of the french, as wild as some of them may be).
  
  I consider the french to be solid, yet not flexible. By this I mean that the usual French setups are hard to break and resilient, but offer little strategical freedom (this is, there are few logical strategical plans that actually fit the position). It is as if I'm playing all my games with the same two or three long-term plans, not because of lack of imagination, but because this are the plans that usually emerge as logical in the typical positions.
  
  In opposition to this, I'm looking for a new defense that prioritizes flexibility above all, even if not as solid as the french. An opening that offers a wide variety of strategical ideas and creative play. The Sicilian is a candidate, but there are too many variations to learn and I'm not interested on it at the moment. I'm considering also the Pirc Defense, which I believe to be also flexible enough.
  
  Can anyone recommend a flexible defense against 1. e4? Comments on the mere ideas of flexibility/solidity in the defensive setup are welcome too, as of course these relates to the actual question.
  
  **Tags:** french-defense, 1.e4, defense
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: I am actually in the same boat as you. I'm a French player but branching out. Idk what level you are playing at but you may want to look at some of the 2. ...e6 Sicilian lines. The Taimanov and Paulsen/Kan are very dynamic and fascinating (and will not be THAT unfamiliar if you play the French).  
  > **username_2**: To be frank, your question is not logical: You want a flexible opening with a wide variety of strategic plans, yet the Sicilian requires you to learn too many variations? The fact is that if you want that much variety, it will require many different variations, and the Sicilian is perfect. The same thing for 1.e4 e5, which also leads to many different positions, but there is so much theory. Maybe you should just add another opening like the Caro.  
  > **username_2**: Let's face it, there are only four solid choices against 1.e4: 1...e5, 1...c5, 1...c6, and 1...e6. All the rest are questionable as far as I am concerned, so pick one. If you want variety, you are going to have to learn a lot.  
  > **username_0**: Let me be clear, for I think I did not express myself properly: I'm okay with learning many variations, but the Sicilian Defense, in particular, is too much of a whole world in itself, and I don't have the time nor the desire to study it deeply at the moment. There's a difference between learning many variations, which I'm fine with, and learning many variations of the many types of sicilians that can emerge, which are just too much. The Sicilian (I think) goes a little bit beyond "many variations", it's overwhelming.  
  > **username_0**: For example, on the Modern Defense, I would have to learn the variations that can emerge from the Modern defense on itself, and not from the A Modern, B Modern, C Modern, ..., and so on from different types of Modern defenses (unlike the Sicilian, with the Taimanov Sicilian, Paulsen Sicilian, Najdorf Sicilian, etc.)  
  > **username_0**: As a last note, yes, perhaps e4, e5, c5, c6 and e6 are the only truly solid alternatives, but I'm looking to prioritize flexibility over solidity. That's what the question is all about. Sorry if I didn't make myself clear on that matter.  
  > **username_3**: @username_0 From your description, the Caro might indeed not be that fitting, although it's really [playable and sound](https://chess.stackexchange.com/q/27979/3594) as a system, so I'd still give it a try. And why not give a fair share of try to the Pirc, and to get started and develop a feel for its underlying ideas I definitely recommend watching the [Seirawan lecture on it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJmjt9GGhA8) (a true expert of the Pirc). Do bear in mind that both these system can have strange learning curves, so make sure to balance study and practice to develop a real feel for them.  
  > **username_0**: It was actually that lecture which made me consider the Pirc! Thanks for the great insight, @Phonon!  
  > **username_4**: The Sicilian *is* a flexible defence against e4. Even the Najdorf alone has so many possibilities without having to know all variations. Just because there are a lot of variations possible in one line of defence doesn't mean you have to study them all at once.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 4 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_5 on 2020-02-17. Score: 5
  
  It sounds like you are drawn to the pirc so try it out and see. The pirc/modern is very flexible and if you play the king's indian that you can transpose into that if White plays c4 to make a universal system.
  
  I like the fluidity of being able to see how my opponent sets up first and then respond. I like the dynamic potential. Rather than backward black's position feels like a "coiled spring" ready to lash out. I haven't been blown off the board with e2-e4-e5 and h2-h4-h5 in a while so I think I am getting the hang of the direct assault lines.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Thanks for the answer, username_5. The possible transposition into a King's Indian makes it even more interesting!  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2020-02-17. Score: 4
  
  I recommend e6 Sicilians. You could even use the move order 1.e4 e6 2.d4 c5. There are a lot of transpositional possibilities. If you look at some great player who played the French a lot, see what other defense they used; Petrosian for example.
  
  It is important to have some Sicilian understanding and if you are in a must win situation against a White player who wants a draw then the Sicilian is a must.
  
  What you play against d4 openings could also steer your choice. For example, if you play the King's Indian Defense, then Pirc/Modern lines could have some knowledge overlap. If you play the Slav, then the Caro-Khan makes since...
  
  Another important element is what will you enjoy studying. Personally I played the Najdorf Sicilian exclusively for a long time, but I loved Tiger's Modern (a repertoire book by Tiger Hillarp Persson) so much I adopted the Modern (There is a newer edition called The Modern Tiger).
  
  here is a recent book with good reviews for you:
  The Sicilian Taimanov (Grandmaster Repertoire)
  by Antonios Pavlidis | Sep 7, 2019
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: An excellent answer to my questions, thank you very much for your insight and the book recommendation, I will definitely check it out. You made good favoring the Sicilian too, so I'm starting to consider it. Thanks!  
  > **username_5**: This is a great answer.  I highly recommend Tiger's books as well.  The first book is a classic I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys chess books.  The second book is expanded and more up-to-date.  Before I played the KID/pirc/modern I played the Slav/Caro but found it harder to play for a win from a caro then the pirc.  Probably I never understood the caro well enough.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_7 on 2020-02-17. Score: 2
  
  I see your point clearly and I was once in your place as well in deciding the right opening for me. I would hate to choose the character of the position over objectivity. There are only 4 objectively sound replies to 1. e4. Those being 1...e5, 1...e6, 1...c5, and 1...c6. All the others are in theory suboptimal. I would say that the best way to get a flexible position is to not contest the center with the pawns and the most extreme version of this is the Hippo(Not the best choice). If you got good results with the french you should also with the Caro-Kann and it's a little more flexible. Remember to choose objectivity over character.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Thanks username_7, I suppose what you say about flexibility comming up from the hipermodern approach of not contesting the center with pawns, but rather with the pieces, is true, since you are not making any pawn-structure compromises early on in the game. Thank you for the good insight!  
  > **username_8**: "There are only 4 objectively sound replies to 1. e4. Those being 1...e5, 1...e6, 1...c5, and 1...c6" - Can you tell me how the Pirc, Modern, Alekhine, Scandanavian and Nimzovich have been refuted?  
  > **username_7**: @username_8 can you then tell me why the Pirc, Modern, Alekhine, Scandanavian, and Nimzowich aren't played at the top level? They, of course, haven't been refuted, but they are suboptimal.  
  > **username_8**: Quoting James Vigus FM in The Pirc in Black and White: "In elite all-play-all tournaments in which a draw with Black is a good result, the Pirc - like the Scandinavian or Alekhine defence - is not a good percentage choice" "There is in reality one set of theory for super-GMs, and another for everyone else"  Also Ponomariov "The Pirc was one of my main openings ... especially when I had to win not only with White but also WITH BLACK" (Empasis mine). If a good result is a draw the Pirc is not the best choice. But in a Swiss where Black wins are needed it is fine. For most this is more relevant.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_9 on 2020-02-17. Score: -2
  
  You want too much.
  
  Either play d6 or the sicilian.
  Else just play e5 when they play e4.
  
  in spite of erroneous claims e5 is as solid a defense as any other first move and it gives you those different positions you say you prefer over the limited french strategy type positions.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Hard to understand what you mean by me "wanting too much". And you talk as if d6, the sicilian and e5 are the only truly considerable alternatives, which might be an overstatement. But yes, of course e5 is as solid as any other good defense, I'm considering it. Thanks.  
  > **username_9**: What is wanted is not possible.  You cant have flexibility without having many variations.  d6 e5 and sicilian are the best options if you do not like the french limitations.  
  > **username_0**: I'm okay with many variations, I don't have a problem with that. It's only the sicilian that goes a little bit beyond "many variations", it's a whole world.  
  > **username_9**: true that has a LOT of them but so does 1...e5  
  
  ---
  
  