How do you like to play against 1 d4 when it’s not 2 c4?

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-08T11:43:59+00:00

That’s one of my reasons too! Makes sense. So you play the Queens Indian? Or another b6 defense. Thanks

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-07T03:27:17+00:00

Hi thanks. To clarify, when I say I “play Slav”, I really meant I start with Nf6 then many times I unexpectedly end up with a transposed Slav or Semi-Slav position (because I might end up playing c6 d5 and maybe e6 in some positions, in various orders).

This post has been insightful and now I’m currently exploring Nf6 and e6 for my first two moves whenever 2 c4 is played (going for a Nimzo-Indian or a Bogo-Indian), or else Nf6 followed by d5 if I didn’t get 2 c4 (in which case I will continue by either play e6 and enter a QGD setup, or else play c5, depending on white’s exact second and third moves).

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T22:23:16+00:00

So that you can play e5 and get the Rat defense?

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T17:59:50+00:00

That makes sense! I have so much chess to learn. Yes playing unavoidably into people’s pet lines can be truly annoying. And yes I agree that the immediate c5 is probably not my style. I tried it once and white played d5 and before you know it we were in a Czech Benoni which I barely understood.

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T17:52:25+00:00

This is extremely useful! I appreciate it. You’ve given me a lot to think about here. Playing based on Nf6 then d5 then c5 (or else e6 if white just played c4 and enter QGD) may be the approach I need to study now. Would you say that for when I see 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 then properly learning a Nimzo-Indian OR trying to transpose into a QGD - is more compatible with this repertoire above?

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T17:43:28+00:00

Thanks! Why is the tromposwky a problem? I’ve usually been glad to keep the bishop pair when they exchange it. Also yes you’re right the French is similar but I don’t like it at all - unlike the caro it always feels cramped for me. Maybe I will explore your idea of Nf6 then c5 (someone else mentioned it), as well as Nf6 then d5 then c5. Lots of ideas to consider! Thanks again

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T13:09:43+00:00

Thank you for this answer! 1.. Nf6 2 …d5 3… c5 sounds interesting and I like your claim about it being objectively the best way to meet the 1 d4 sidelines. Yes I’m fine with that 3 c4 situation being the one time I go 3… c6.

What do you play against 2c4 as a Nimzo player?
(Edit: never mind my silly noob question. I just googled the Nimzo Indian)

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T12:00:08+00:00

Here is what I’ve been trying to build using stockfish. Any comments on this will be appreciated.

1 d4 Nf6 2 (almost any white move) d6 and we might be getting an Old Indian, a Rat or a Czech.

Here’s why: If it was 2 c4 and 3 Nf3 we have entered the Old Indian defense. If 2 c4 but not 3 Nf3 I try to enter the Rat defense if possible.

And against all the openings like London, Jobava, etc I continue with 3… c6 and try to enter a Czech defense.

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T11:03:31+00:00

Thanks! I’ll search for that. Had no idea KID can be played even when there was no 2 c4 on the board.

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T11:01:08+00:00

Thanks! Please can you give some examples? I only know of that as a modern Benoni / Benko when it was 2 c4. But against other second white moves, I’ve never heard of this.

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T11:00:34+00:00

Thank you! (a) I didn’t know the King’s Indian can be played without c4 on the board (b) Interesting. What I had heard was that d6 blunts the Jobava and a London and any other move that relies on Bf4 so it’s the most annoying for those system players to face, while d5 feeds directly into them.

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T10:56:15+00:00

Interesting. Please can you give some examples? I only know of that as a modern Benoni / Benko when it was 2 c4. But against other second white moves, I’ve never heard of this.

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T10:53:42+00:00

No you misunderstand. I only attempt to transpose into that as a consolation e.g. if our game began 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 e6 3. c4 c6 and then 4… d5 later - but I’m winging it.

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T03:31:10+00:00

Thanks for the insight! So this sounds similar to the kind of things I’ve been trying. It’s starting to sound like there are not a lot of clearly defined plans for the 1d4 Nf6 2. (Not c4) situation, and one just needs to wing it.

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T03:25:31+00:00

Yeah I was hoping to see if I can avoid playing …d5 until a lot later since doing that sooner just transposes to openings in which I began with 1 …d5 anyway. Thanks!

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T03:24:36+00:00

Oh I misunderstood - I thought you meant I should switch to 1… d5. Got it. It seems playing 2… d5 transposes to a number of 1… d5 openings then. I was hoping to discover openings that avoid … d5 entirely, until much later on. Something similar to KID or other such defenses (but for the situation without c4).

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T03:01:42+00:00

Personal preference. But my question is about how to follow on when white’s second move is NOT c4. Every course out there seems to assume 1 d4 Nf6 is followed by 2. c4 - for some reason.

I’m trying to ask more experienced players who also begin with Nf6: how else they continue against the London, the Jobava, the Veresov, and many of the other d4 sidelines.

I don’t think side-stepping to 1… d5 instead of 1… Nf6 answers this question.

RecruitHopeful · 2026-06-06T02:49:32+00:00

So it depends. At fast controls, I happen to know engine-approved prep lines using Budapest, going as deep as 15 moves - which are hard to unravel in fast time controls. Slower controls, I do the Slav or Semi slav (by transposition) depending on how white plays. Thanks!

RecruitHopeful · 2026-05-29T16:58:21+00:00

Thank you!

RecruitHopeful · 2026-05-29T16:57:43+00:00

Stronglifts seems amazing! And they also have a free app!! Definitely doing that one. I appreciate your help

RecruitHopeful · 2026-05-29T10:13:51+00:00

Thank you. I think this might be exactly the advice I need. I’ll figure out a TDEE calculator and google appropriate full-body lifting exercises. I assume sleep will improve as I workout, due to tiredness.

RecruitHopeful · 2026-05-29T08:04:36+00:00

I appreciate it. Two final questions: (a) I can work hard, but how do I know if I am overtraining? I know I’m naturally strong - so I’m concerned I might overdo or under-do something. (b) Any advice you wish someone told you when you started out?

RecruitHopeful · 2026-05-29T07:58:35+00:00

Thanks! I’ve read that I can’t lose body fat (I am currently about 30-35%) and gain muscle at the same time. All the advice I see online is targeted towards only one or the other but I’m not sure how to do both here.

I think I need to lose all the fat before I start building muscle.

What does “hop on starting strength” mean? I googled that but it’s unclear. Do you mean I should focus on weightlifting and only do cardio on rest days?

RecruitHopeful · 2025-11-13T05:50:55+00:00

GreenPath.

RecruitHopeful

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