MNb wrote on 09/25/07 at 21:53:31:


Agreed.  I used to play both 3.Nc3 and 3.Nf3.  There are solid and sharp lines in both openings, so it really does, I think, mainly come down to a matter of preference and it's nice to be able to switch off.  I eventually gravitated to 3.Nc3, not because I liked it any better or any worse, but because of how it fit with the rest of my repertoire, and in particular my lines against the QGD and the Benoni.

Against the QGD, as MNb notes, 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 preserves White's ability to play the Exchange variation with Nge2.  The 3.Nc3 move order also avoids a couple of sharp variations, such as the Vienna and the Ragozin, which are available to Black after 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3.  Not that these need to be avoided, but it's more theory for you to learn.

Against the Benoni, 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 preserves the option of playing the Taimanov or the Modern Main Line -- two of White's most testing lines.  After 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5, White's options are more limited, and you can't even be guaranteed of getting the Modern Main Line, as an early Nf3 gives Black some additional options.

LeeRoth

Thanks for the replies. I have got some things to think about in the process to find "my" opening.

3. Ktc3 threatens 4.e4. It is the more principled and probably stronger move.

Smyslov_Fan wrote on 09/26/07 at 02:32:09:

It might be a delayed Budapest!!

If I could guarantee the variations that Black would play, I would play 3.Nc3.  Especially if the opponent has the Modern Benoni in his main repertoire.   If my opponent is especially skilled in the Budapest, I may play 3.Nf3.  I'm not afraid of the Budapest, per se, but why should I allow my opponent to play his favorite line anyway? 

If I don't know in advance anything about the opponent other than he's good, I most often play 3.Nf3.  My favorite QID/Nimzo variation as White is the Petrosian/Kasparov System of the QID, 4.a3.

kalle99 wrote on 09/25/07 at 21:49:25:

Depends on what you intend on the QGD. I myself now have a Nimzo/QGD combo as black and I think many have a Nimzo/Semi-Slav as well. So basically your choice will depend on the rest of your repertoire, though given the choice as you put it I'd go Nimzo as white and play the 4.Qc2 lines.

Why catalan is out of the question ? Too complex and messy positions for me. Seems difficult to play.

Of course other openings can turn up after BOTH 3.Nc3 or Nf3. But I talk more of main line repertoires here. 
Many players have Nimzo/Qid  Nimzo/Bogo as their repertoire as black against 1.d4.

So I intend to pick up either Nimzo or QID  as my "main line" opening.

This question is from whites point of view. After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3. ?????? (Catalan is out of the question).

Yes..this is the question. What to play now and ......why 3. Nc3 ? or why 3. Nf3 ? I have tried to find answer in this forum by reading earlier posts. I have not found it. Myabe I have missed it ?  

What kind of player choses the Nimzo ? (Classical system is what I would like to study first)

What kind of player choses the Queens Indian ?

The question is What kind of player choses the one or the other opening ? 

Which opening is more aggressive,more dynamic,more solid (safe). Gives more winning chances.

Which one is (in general) easier to play and learn ?. 


I am an 1.e4 player but I have decided to test 1.d4 for a while. 

I imagine that many players have jumped back and forth between the Nimzo and the QID (and maybe even the catalan) before making their definite choice to include one of them in their repertoire. I hope their experiences can be a shortcut for many players aiming for taking up one of these openings as white.