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Repertoire against 1.d4 for Black: defenses to all d4 openings

October 5, 2025 NHaselton Chess Lectures

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One repertoire for everything 1.d4 throws at you

Queen's Gambit, London, Colle, Jobava, even the Blackmar-Diemer: this video builds a complete, practical Black repertoire against 1.d4 that still works when your opponent leaves the main lines.

What's covered

Hanging Pawns focuses on the main ideas and strategic themes of each line rather than long memorized variations. The chapters cover the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, the Queen's Gambit Accepted, the London System with 2.Bf4, Nf3 transpositions into London, Torre and Catalan setups, the Jobava London, the Reverse Stonewall, the Pseudo-Trompowsky, the Colle System and the Richter-Veresov Attack.

Who should watch

Club players who are tired of being surprised in the first ten moves, and anyone who wants one coherent plan against every 1.d4 system instead of a patchwork of lines. Use the chapter list to jump straight to what your opponents actually play.

Quick answers

What does Black play against the Queen's Gambit in this repertoire?: The Queen's Gambit Accepted.
Does it cover the London System?: Yes, including the Jobava London.
Is it good for beginners?: It suits improving club players best. It explains ideas rather than long move lists.

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A simple repertoire against 1.d4 for black that covers every opening white could play.
Practice the anti-d4 repertoire against a sparring partner: https://app.noctie.ai/repertoires/199635fd-cf02-4de7-b7dc-cbb4fcb3cfff?aff=q9yKD
Repertoire against 1.d4 for Black available here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/repertoire-d4-140486923
If you decide to upgrade to Premium on https://noctie.ai/?aff=q9yKD, use the code HANGINGPAWNS to get a 64% discount, or the code HPYEAR for 20% off the (already discounted) yearly membership.

Defenses to all d4 openings from black’s perspective. An entire opening repertoire against 1.d4 that should enable you to play confidently even if you get out of book. I have focused on explaining main ideas an strategic themes in each opening.

0:00 Introduction
06:33 Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
12:50 Queen’s Gambit Accepted
23:10 London System with 2.Bf4
27:13 Nf3 transpositions; London, Torre, and Catalan setups
36:30 Jobava London
39:40 Reverse Stonewall
43:32 Pseudo Trompowsky
47:15 Colle System
49:07 Richter-Veresov Attack

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