Playing against 1. d4

@A_0123456 said in #20:
> I'm aware of the e6-e5 pawn break but how do you deal with it if your opponent places an annoying knight on e5 in a closed position?
Can you show me the line? I would say play ...Nbd7 to trade it off and worry about the Q-side pawns.

@A_0123456 said in #1:
> I've noticed that while I've been able to play just fine against 1. e4, I often struggle against 1. d4, losing a lot of my slower time control games (rapid or slower). For some reason, I find it much harder to play positions that result from 1. d4 and often give my opponent an advantage without realizing, something that doesn't occur nearly as often with 1. e4.
> Even as white, I struggle when playing 1. d4 but have a much easier time when playing 1. e4.
> How do I improve upon just 1. d4? Also note that the great majority of my opponents in the rapid time control play 1. e4 (especially as of late, where I've seen up to 80-90% of my games as black starting with 1. e4).

I had your problem. I then started playing Nf6 to respond. I then switched to 1.Nf6. Gives you versatility in what you want to play. Gambits or just put your d-pawn in the center on move 2 or KID. I think you can play the KID.

You play the nimzo which is a very interesting opening but really difficult to handle due to the fact there are some many pawns structures that can occurs. Then players can avoid the nimzo Indian.

I think it might be interesting to focus more on something else to gain experience then to come back to the nimzo.

I would advice you to play the Tartakover which is very interesting and you will come back at 100 % in the tabia of the Tartakover.

Plus you will learn a lot about the hanging pawns and the isolated pawns.

If you want to study more I would suggest have a look at the Tarrash defence to understand the isolated pawn structure then play the Tartakover.

Best response to d4 is definitely Nf6.