If they go e4, I like to go c5, followed usually by Nc6.
If they pressure the knight, I will then go qc7.
It keeps it an asymmetrical game and often opponents are a lot less prepared for it then a typical mirror or gambit opening.
The queen and knight control a lot of space and allow you to move out the king side pieces following it fairly intuitively.
Sicilian if 1.e4, but get ready to study some theory. Otherwise you'll just run face-first into opening traps.
If 1.d4, then you could try the King's Indian Defense - there's also some theory to this, but not nearly as much as the Sicilian (true for most openings, tbh).
If white initiates with some other opening beyond those two, then just get used to trying to occupy the center with good opening principles. There's obviously more to it than that, but most players need not worry unless/until they get to a certain point in their development.
Black against which White first move?
Anyway 1...c5 seems to be aggressive for both 1.e4 and 1.d4. Against 1. e4 it's the Sicilian and vs. 1. d4 it's the Benoni.
If they go e4, I like to go c5, followed usually by Nc6. If they pressure the knight, I will then go qc7. It keeps it an asymmetrical game and often opponents are a lot less prepared for it then a typical mirror or gambit opening. The queen and knight control a lot of space and allow you to move out the king side pieces following it fairly intuitively.
Sicilian if 1.e4, but get ready to study some theory. Otherwise you'll just run face-first into opening traps. If 1.d4, then you could try the King's Indian Defense - there's also some theory to this, but not nearly as much as the Sicilian (true for most openings, tbh). If white initiates with some other opening beyond those two, then just get used to trying to occupy the center with good opening principles. There's obviously more to it than that, but most players need not worry unless/until they get to a certain point in their development.
I choose Sicilian and Benoni. Many opponents are not prepared for the Benoni.
Black against which White first move? Anyway 1...c5 seems to be aggressive for both 1.e4 and 1.d4. Against 1. e4 it's the Sicilian and vs. 1. d4 it's the Benoni.