Which is better - d4 or c4? • page 2/3 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

The question with d4 and c4 has no clear answer. c4 can easily transpose in a d4-opening. 1. c4 e6 (c6) white could play 2. d4.

If you like to play the catalan then start with d4 - less variants to remember cause black can not take on c4 on move four when you play 6. c4 and not sooner ;-)

So the question is which system you would like to play with each move (c4 or d4) and what do you want to achieve with that.

The question with d4 and c4 has no clear answer. c4 can easily transpose in a d4-opening. 1. c4 e6 (c6) white could play 2. d4. If you like to play the catalan then start with d4 - less variants to remember cause black can not take on c4 on move four when you play 6. c4 and not sooner ;-) So the question is which system you would like to play with each move (c4 or d4) and what do you want to achieve with that.

FM royalblue04

#12

I have never said i prefer e4. I play e4 from time to time, that means that i have to avoid Ruy Lopez. Too much theory, if i am playing d4, c4 and N3 too.

UltimateBeast2478

#13

d4 is protected, e4 is not. That's the main difference. White's center is definitely stronger with d4 and c4 than in a typical open game, and play tends to be more strategic and a little slower.

FM royalblue04

#14

You can play d4 and go for a real aggressive and tactical game without any problems. Even c4 could let to those games, maybe a few moves later. And with e4 you could gain a stable center, no prob.

PranavRamesh8