u/MDSAsh

As I formally started building out my repertoire files, I realized that I'm not entirely sure why I decided to start playing 2. Nf3 instead of 2. c4. I mean, I kind of remember: it was mainly to avoid some black options within certain openings, but I still end up facing the opening eventually anyway (and you avoid the Budapest, but that's probably not something that one should be avoiding).

Basically, it got me wondering if I should play 2. c4, and what practical benefits I'm gaining by going 2. Nf3. Of course the answer also depends on what first move black played.

One thing I realized was that after 1. d4 e6, now 2. Nf3 is not good because 2... c5, and to keep a good edge I have to be willing to enter the e6-Sicilian structure (and I'm not an e4 player, so I don't want to do that) because the other moves don't give white anything. So this is one line where I necessarily have to play 2. c4.

Also if I commit to Nf3 on move 2, then there are some lines by black that take us into Benoni structures/lines, and in some of them you'd rather not have Nf3 committed already (I'm not 100% sure about this, but I remember something along those lines).

So for 1. d4 mainline players out there, what are the key things you take into account while making this decision?

Pretty much what the title says. I'm just looking to find a good study and training partner to build a chess partnership with over time. I don't really have the luxury of going to chess clubs in person (it's infeasible for me for multiple reasons), so this is the closest I can get to that.

I'm thinking 2-5 hours a week of time spent together (training games, analysis, general discussion, etc) + whatever work we can do (and want to do) on our own time. I'm open to different ways of doing this (discord is what I use for stuff like this, but I'm open to hearing alternatives).

I play on lichess: 2100 rapid and between 2000 and 2100 blitz (all 5+3). If you have any questions for me, or any suggestions/feedback, shoot!