both are playable at any level, even Alphazero plays both these moves, so I am content to say they are about the same value.
1. e4 vs 1. d4
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both are playable at any level, even Alphazero plays both these moves, so I am content to say they are about the same value.
I prefer 1. d4 because I think it gives more of a choice of types of game, so there's more to know and it's more interesting. There's also more chance of genuine complications where the better player, or the luckier player on the day, has more chance to win. Finally, with 1.e4, "book moves" are more analysed, so people themselves aren't really playing, so much as following moves others have made. This happens to a greater extent after 1. e4.