bjames
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What is the best response to e4?What are peoples thoughts on the best response to e4 and why?
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Ukdragon
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Well thats good question barrie & i got to say c5 because thats the only responce my right hand will let me play
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Guest
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This poll must be rigged, as it won't let me vote for the natural 1...d5!!, winning. 
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DR
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Ah, that's better.
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Guest
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The best responses are probably e5 and c5, and e6 is sound enough to be played at the Super GM level frequently so it can't be bad. c5 is the best sound option for playing for a win with black according to GMs. Nf6 is definitely not my choice, and neither are g6 or d6; all are too hypermodern. d5 is not my choice, but considering I sometimes play centre game myself (e4 e5 d4 exd4 Qxd4) with the same potential problem of a prematurely developed queen, I can't really talk. c6 is definitely interesting, without being as crazy as the french. Maybe the caro-kann is the best choice to avoid white having hundreds of options but still having a good sound game, and avoiding the uncertainty of a sicilian.
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Guest
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The above post was by me btw; I hadn't signed in so I appear as a guest.
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Edd
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Sorry about this. The above two messages were by me.
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Dave
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Statisticaly at least it's c5. Depends on the opponent i guess..
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Jangor
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In my games database I've got 46% with e5 and 45% with c5 so I guess there is no difference.
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Edd
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Here is what I think:
d6 - strong
c6 - strong
e6 - strong
e5 - strong
c5 - strong
d5 - a bit weak
g6 - transpositional
Nc6 - quite weak
Nf6 - strong, a little dubious
b6 - weak
all other pawn moves, weak
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bjames
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happen to disagree with Nc6 - i play it - could be why my grade is only 88 though. had reasonable success this year with it. Most of the defeats have come due to blunders later on - nothing wrong with the opening
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Edd
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Nimzowich's defence is probably very effective as a surprise weapon against someone in a match, but it must be weaker in some clear way to the Sicilian, e5, French, Caro-Kann, and Pirc etc as it is never seen in top level chess.
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Edd
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I think objectively e5 and c5 are the strongest replies to e4, since looking at top GM's repetoirs, these are the main moves played. I'm finding this in other respects in openings too; evenually looking at other 2nd moves for white after e4, e5, in the end you get a feeling that Nf3 is the strongest move and actual tries for an advantage more than others, and that the ruy lopez is probably the best or most critical position.
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