1.d4 Best by test??

"'In fact, I keep talking to Bobby these days, because I often have dreams about him in which we talk about chess. For example, sometimes I would ask him: "What is better - 1.e4 or 1.d4 ?". And once, Bobby answered to me definitely that 1.d4 is better, because the d4-pawn is defended, while the e4-pawn is not - it perishes quickly. The d4-pawn is more solid.'"  -Boris Spassky

http://chess-news.ru/en/node/17235

Does this mean that 1.d4 is now best by test?  

The most recent statistical analyses of master games that I have seen shows d4 to be the more successful move. I wouldn't let that influence my choice of opening, however. Unless I was playing for world championship, which, in my case, isn't going to happen any time soon.

I'm referring to an in depth statistical analyses that was presented several months ago at the Chess base website, compiled by a mathematics professor. I apologize I don't remember the name, though. I'm not saying I agree, but it was a fairly deep statistical report.

1. e4 is best by test, but I still prefer 1. d4 or 1. b3

I don't believe that chart necessarily proves 1.e4 is the best first move. That chart probably includes very old games before 1.d4 became more vogue. People are traditionally taught to play 1.e4 for a long time when they start, and they may get better with it than with other openings. Also, perhaps more theory has been developed for 1.e4 opening attacks. In five years 1.e4 may not be on top. Additionally, a lot of Masters employ the Sicilian Defense against 1.e4, and don't do so in the best possible way.

but you score better with 1. e4

<Chicken_Monster> you missed it that it's a chart of Skotheim's own games, his own experience. 

It may be modified if and when Skotheims learns more openings, or learns to play some of his openings better, removing problems from them. 

But for now, for Skotheim, this is the test. 

I like 1. d4. But what to do against CP6033's Queen's Indian? 

@skoth

I know. That surprised me when I found out. I need more data points. Some very, very good players have worked with me and say I am more suited to 1.d4 at White and the Slav (and possibly Semi-Slav) as Black.

Yes, I totally missed that.

Dont chess.com have a database of every single game ever played on here? That statistic should be pretty good.

Yep. It doesn't score as well as some other openings because many people are not familiar with all the transpositions.

EDIT:

Also, a lot of people just go into the KIA. Solid but I think it's mainly for getting into a playable middlegame and not so much for getting an advantage. I may be wrong...

<Skotheim> you're right, of course... 

The thing is, that I like 3. Nf3 - as after 3. Nc3, ...Bb4 with a Nimzo-Indian is more effective. 

(On 3. Nf3 Bb4+ I have the interposition 4. Bd2 which is in my favor - as it's a bishop I like to exchange, and it's with gain of tempo). 

That said, CP6033 isn't well known for his Nimzo-Indian... so it's definitely worth a try :-)

I wonder if Spassky is still communicating with Fischer?  

“ Fischer’s views on the opening were pretty clear; Black had multiple ways to equalize against 1.d4 but only one way, the Najdorf Sicilian, to equalize against 1.e4. He almost always opened 1.e4 except for his use (to avoid prep) of 1.c4 in his title match with Boris Spassky in 1972.”

Excerpt From: Larry Kaufmann. “Kaufman's New Repertoire for Black and White.”