Quote:I want to start playing 1...e5 more frequently when confronted by 1.e4, and am trying to figure out what I should play if hit by the Spanish. For background purposes, I play at about 1450 USCF and have been mucking around with the Scandinavian and French for some time but have never buckled down and studied those lines (mostly because 1.d4 if far more popular with my usual circle of opponents). I'm looking for something that's solid, provides relative active play and counter-chances, but that is strategically straight-forward as befits my hacker rating.
Unfortunately, the e-books here are little help in my quest. At the moment, I'm thinking about exploring Bird's Defense or the neo-Steinitz. Thoughts? Suggestions? Admonitions? Recommendations? Warnings?
For players at your level, I strongly recommend 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5. My students play this and have good success with it. Black simply activates his pieces and looks for opportunities. You have to be familiar with some theory, but so what? You also have to know how to play against 4. d4, which is no big problem.
White keeps his += birthright with best play, but it does require some sophistication on his part. I would not wring my hands over this, since White is += after 3. Bb5.
I have played the Schliemann (Jaenisch) a great deal with good success, but I've concluded that it is unsound. Also it is not really good for a player's chess education, since it sacrifices time in exchange for space -- a dangerous procedure, especially for the inexperienced.