Chess defenses for Black
Sicilian, French, Caro-Kann, King's Indian: how to answer 1.e4 and 1.d4.
As Black, you don't pick the first move, but you do pick your answer. It is actually simpler than playing White: one defense against 1.e4 and one against 1.d4 cover the vast majority of your games. This page gathers our chess defense guides, from the Sicilian Defense to the King's Indian Defense.
Against 1.e4, three schools: answer 1…e5 and accept the open game, play the Sicilian to unbalance the position from move one, or choose a solid defense such as the Caro-Kann or the French. Against 1.d4, the Queen's Gambit Declined and the Slav are the classical answers, the Indian defenses the more dynamic ones.
The table below ranks the defenses covered by Prologue Chess by their real popularity across 8.2 million games. A beginner should start with a common defense: you will meet the same positions more often and learn faster.
| Defense | First moves | Popularity | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sicilian Defense | 1.e4 c5 | Essential | Read the guide |
| French Defense | 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 | Essential | Read the guide |
| Caro-Kann Defense | 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 | Essential | Read the guide |
| King's Indian Defense | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 | Common | Read the guide |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 | Common | Read the guide |
| Scandinavian Defense | 1.e4 d5 | Common | Read the guide |
| Slav Defense | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 | Common | Read the guide |
| Pirc Defense | 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 | Occasional | — |
| Modern Defense | 1.e4 g6 | Occasional | Read the guide |
| Grünfeld Defense | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 | Occasional | — |
| Alekhine Defense | 1.e4 Nf6 | Occasional | — |
| Dutch Defense | 1.d4 f5 | Occasional | — |
Articles in this theme
The Caro-Kann Defense: Safe, Sound and Reliable Against 1.e4
The Caro-Kann answers 1.e4 with 1...c6 then 2...d5: as solid as the French, but without trapping your bishop. The plan, the classical line and the advance.
The Scandinavian Defense: A Reply to 1.e4 in a Single Move
The Scandinavian answers 1.e4 with 1...d5 and hits the center at once. Easy to remember: the plan, the 3...Qa5 variation and the modern line.
The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Answering 1.d4 with Finesse
The Nimzo-Indian meets 1.d4 with 1...Nf6, 2...e6 and 3...Bb4: the bishop pins the knight and fights for e4. The plan and the main variations explained.
The Slav Defense: The Solid Answer to the Queen's Gambit
The Slav Defense meets the Queen's Gambit with 1...d5 and 2...c6, holding the center without locking in your bishop. The plan, main line, and Exchange Slav.
The French Defense: The Solid Answer to 1.e4
The French Defense meets 1.e4 with 1...e6 and then 2...d5. A solid, combative defense for Black: the plan and the Advance, Winawer and Tarrasch variations.
The Sicilian Defense: the Queen of Defenses
The Sicilian answers 1.e4 with 1...c5, unbalancing the game so Black plays to win. Najdorf, Dragon, Kan: how to pick the right one for your level.
What to Play Against 1.d4? The Black Player's Guide
King's Indian, Nimzo-Indian, Slav, Queen's Gambit Declined: how to choose your reply to 1.d4 by style. A clear guide to building your defense.
What to Play Against 1.e4? Choosing Your Black Defense
Sicilian, French, Caro-Kann, Scandinavian, Pirc: how to choose your reply to 1.e4 by style. A clear guide to building your defense as Black.
The King's Indian Defense: The Combative Weapon Against 1.d4
The King's Indian meets 1.d4 by letting White grab the center, only to break it apart. The hypermodern plan, the pawn storm, and the main variations.
The Pirc and Modern Defense: Playing Hypermodern Against 1.e4
The Pirc and Modern answer 1.e4 by fianchettoing the bishop on g7 to attack White's center. Learn the hypermodern plan and the Austrian Attack.
Frequently asked questions
Which chess defense should a beginner choose against 1.e4?
1…e5 is the most instructive answer: it leads to the same principles as the Italian Game. If you want something solid with no surprises, the Caro-Kann (1…c6) is an excellent choice. The Sicilian scores better but requires more work.
Which defense against 1.d4?
The Queen's Gambit Declined (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6) is the classical, solid choice. The Slav Defense (2…c6) keeps the light-squared bishop active. The Indian defenses (1…Nf6 then …g6 or …e6) suit players who like dynamic positions.
Do you need a different defense against every first move?
No. Two defenses are enough: one against 1.e4 and one against 1.d4. Against 1.c4 or 1.Nf3 you can almost always transpose into one of the two.
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