I think most OTB c6 players will play 1...d5 first, then 2...c6. The simple reason is 1. d4 c6 2. d5. It may not be the strongest move avaialble, but will certainly take most Slav/Semi-Slav players out of book OTB very early. If you wanted a surprise move OTB, that may be worth considering. At least, you'd take me out of book early, which is why I'd avoid the whole mess by playing 1...d5 against 1 d4.
I just thought of something else.
1.d4 e6 2.e4 c5 !?
This is a way to play 1. ... e6 and avoid the French.
This is called the Franco-Benoni or Barcza-Larsen Defense.
3.d5 exd5 4.exd5 is a kind of king pawn Benoni (symmetrical).
3.Nf3 would be a Sicilian Defense.
3.c3 d5 4.e5 is a French Advance ... 4.exd5 is a c3 Sicilian
3.c3 Nf6 MAY transpose to a c3 Sicilian as well.
3.d5 would probably be white's most common move.
Originally posted by kmac27the only "drawback" of 1...e6 I can see is allowing white to transpose with 2.e4, and if you're a french player, I think it's just fine to do that as black, which is what I do.
isn't it better to control the game in the direction it goes so you have complete control and have a better idea of the opening?