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If memory serves me right at this early hour, Keilhack considers Nd5 overrated in his Der Linksspringer tome, due to 7...Rb8 and spoiling black's castlingrights with a Nc7+ may be more trouble than it's worth.

But white's easy development and the chance to play e2-e4 as a lever make his position look fairly attractive, even if there might not be much of an objective advantage. 

Btw, Keilhack also mentions some other ideas, like Aasum's 1.Nc3 c5 2.f4 which should appeal to free spirits... 


Anyway, on a slight side note. If one intends to go Veresov, wouldn't it be a good idea to check out the other annoying systems too e.g: London with 2.Bf4 c5 3.e4!?, The Trompowsky, the Barry Attack, Hodgson Attack and the Torre Attack - they seem to share so many ideas that it's a bit strange that they are considered different systems. - So, for little extra effort you could increase your opponent's prep time considerably... And if you'd ever consider playing 1.d4 d5 as black in the future, this would certainly be time well spent...

Btw, I'm not familiar with the chess scene in Wales, but I'd assume that Hodgson and Hebden etc have made these QP deviations quite popular on the British Isles - so taking up the Veresov now might be like arriving late to a party - the best booze may be gone... 

Thanks for the replies!

Alumbrado, I have considered 2.Nc3, and it could well figure in my repertoire (I've not looked at it in much depth but the general plan seems to be Bg5 and aiming for e4 - I could well have that as the "quiet" option against the Dutch. I quite like gambit play, however, and 2.Qd3 seems quite strong (especially in practical play), so I feel that I should at least continue to keep some gambits in my repertoire - I've got a reputation to maintain. 

Scholar, 1...e6 is something that I'm a little annoyed about. The main problem seems to be 2.Nc3 c5 - that blasted c-pawn shoved forward by the sicilian players again! I have played the Winawer as white so I'm not completely lost here, and might even consider 3.Qd3!? (after 2.Nc3 d5) giving the position that distinctive Veresov flavour. Probably not objectively strong, but compared to some of my openings probably a lot sounder. Of course, 2.Nc3 f5 3.Qd3 intends the same gambit lines. 

TalJechin, there are quite a few reasons - 
Firstly, in Wales there's quite a limited pool of players. At my level, several of them do prepare for opponents, and since it's usually quite easy to work out who you'll be playing on an evening, my narrow 1.e4 repertoire can be a hindrance. Eventually I do plan to learn 1.d4 + 2.c4, but I figured that it would be best to start off with a system which didn't require a total change of playing style. Then I can eventally incorporate the Benoni against 1...c5 and eventually move into a "proper" d4 repertoire. Also, having so many options as white can only be a good thing.
Avoiding theory is a key thing - between my job and my studies I barely have the time to get to matches, and this will continue for the next few years. I actually did look at 1.Nc3 but after 1...c5, I couldn't find any promising way to play the positions without transposing to a sicilian, which is exactly what I want to avoid. Also, the Veresov is a dangerous system and, to my knowledge, no-one in my league (or possibly any of the Welsh leagues) plays it, so between the surprise and the strength I figure I can score very well with it. Besides, as a Hector fan I feel I owe it to try anything he does. There's also the fact that I would love to play against the Dutch...

I suppose I'm not really abandoning 1.e4, I will no doubt play that as well - certainly against lower-graded opponents, I have a huge plus score with it, but looking at my results against 1900+ players, I do not do at all well. Whereas I've played 1.d4 twice (one stonewall and one BDG, admittedly) with a 100% score against players in this range, and this was back when I was a lot lower-rated as well. Also, I know a lot of people who dislike playing black after 1.d4 (myself included) - isn't it coached that you should do what is least pleasant for your opponent? 

I don't know, perhaps I just want to broaden my horizons, but don't believe that the Ruy Lopez is the best/only way to do so. I've always played wild gambits and systems where I'm thinking from the opening... above anything, I think I need to start conserving my energy for the middlegame, without getting there with a terrible position.

Apologies for the long babble, was just typing thoughts as they came into my head. 

Cheers,
Craig

Well, you haven't stated why you want to change to 1.d4

- if it's just to avoid a lot of theory, then 1.Nc3 intending to go 2.d4 would cut your load even more. If you just want messy tactical positions then why abandon 1.e4 ? Surely there are ways to avoid too much theory here too?!

The point of 1.d4 (or 1.Nf3 & d4) is to usually reach calmer more positional systems - but considering your Veresov intentions that doesn't sound like the reason you want to change either... 

So the only reason I can think of is that you want to try strategical d4 chess, but is too lazy to learn the NI, GI, QI, KI, HD, etc etc, but without the main systems with d4+c4, 1.d4 and 1.e4 won't differ too much...

You will get a lot of Veresovs as you can play it after either 1...d5 or 1...Nf6 so concentrate on that.  Don't worry about 1...c5 - if you really don't like the idea of the various Benonis, 2.dxc5 is a decent option to get an Open Sicilian style structure without the theory (albeit without much chance for an opening advantage either!).  And as LDZ will tell you there is always 1.d4 c5 2.Nf3 cxd4 3.b4!? 

Onto the Dutch - more complicated.  After 1...f5, 2.Nc3 seems to be the most natural 'fit' with a Veresov repertoire, but if you want to give 2.Qd3!? a punt then fine.  The problem comes with 1...e6 and to a lesser extent 1...d6.  However, if you're playing the Veresov, you've probably got to have a line against the French, Pirc and Modern anyway, haven't you?  So just transpose to that (and you're a 1.e4 player at the monent so you must have something in mind).

I'd get going straight away if you really want to make the switch.  Give it a whirl online and see how it goes.  Good luck!