There are many responses available for black to play in response to white's first move. Some Defenses require white's cooperation where as others can be played more systematically. I play the Caro-Kann from the black side of the pieces personally and try to get similar looking structures with the semi-slav vs. 1.d4

I have filled out the classroom called Opening Recommendations. It gives you a list of my responses to most opening choices and how I like to steer my games. I believe that from the white side of the pieces we should look for fireworks and knock out blows to our opponents and you will see highly tactical opening suggestions for that side of the board. On the black side I recommend controlling the game and laying down a solid defense in which we can counter attack our opponent when the time is right and win a convincing end game. These openings have given me a few wins over 2100+ players on Lichess.org in Rapid and many more vs. 2000+ players. Head over to the Gospel Gambit Youtube page to get a more in-depth understanding of these openings and to see them being played over the board. Also I am currently putting together a Chessable course that gives you a manageable number of trainable lines and an even deeper dive into these openings. It will focus on the most seen responses that Club Level Chess players see in their own games while playing these openings. I am following a similar style of course that NM/CM Han Schut has created on Chessable and highly recommend his courses on the Evans gambit and Scotch Gambit that he has already put out.

What is your first strike over the chess board?! I prefer 1.e4 myself as it can lead to interesting lines such as the Evans Gambit, Scotch Gambit, Smith Morra Gambit, and other sharp lines! As a club player myself I find getting away from main line theory can give me the best chances both vs players above and below my rating.