You're comparing apples to oranges. Both 1. e4 and 1. d4 are good moves. They both have their own advantages.
1.d4 or 1.e4? Which one is better?
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I remember reading someone's research somewhere on the interwebs where a group of players crunched the numbers for the opening moves for white for 2400+ games on chessbase...
I recall 1.d4 having a higher win percentage, but also a lower draw percentage and a higher loss percentage compared with 1.e4 ...
I believe the consesus was that if you are absolutely playing for a win only, 1.d4 is your best move for a game with the highest winning chances.
If you are playing for a win *or a draw*, 1.e4 has the better percentage to win or draw.
Heaven help me I have no idea *where* I recall seeing this info... but I *do* remember seeing it. Now if it's true or not, or if the research based on the chessbase database was sound or not... is a completely different subject, lol.
Sorry for the diatribe...
Thanks
I think it's disingenuous to think one or the other is better because of database statistics because:
A: Database statistics only tell you about the available proof, you don't know the games that are not in it.
B: All the games in most *good* databases are played by players from 2000+ strength. So if someone below 2000 is looking at an opening, the database statistics would be wholly different.
C: With perfect play, Berlin defence in the Ruy Lopez and Petroff Defence have drawish reputation but both sides can go for different openings / sidelines to avoid these drawish lines. A draw is something both players work for.
MonkeyH wrote:
I think it's disingenuous to think one or the other is better because of database statistics because:
A: Database statistics only tell you about the available proof, you don't know the games that are not in it.
B: All the games in most *good* databases are played by players from 2000+ strength. So if someone below 2000 is looking at an opening, the database statistics would be wholly different.
C: With perfect play, Berlin defence in the Ruy Lopez and Petroff Defence have drawish reputation but both sides can go for different openings / sidelines to avoid these drawish lines. A draw is something both players work for.
Agreed on all accounts. I wasn't trying to argue for one being strictly better.
"A draw is something both players work for." - I dunno, I've been hit by a few unfortunate perpetuals that I wasn't working for, lol. Working for a stalemate/draw is something only one side is working for quite often...
Sep 16, 2015
0
#7
According to chess.com's game explorer, 38.5% of games where e4 is played are won (by white) and 38.9% of games where d4 is played are won.
Bednarek wrote:
According to chess.com's game explorer, 38.5% of games where e4 is played are won (by white) and 38.9% of games where d4 is played are won.
That doesn't seem like a big difference.
TheBlunderfulPlayer wrote:
Bednarek wrote:
According to chess.com's game explorer, 38.5% of games where e4 is played are won (by white) and 38.9% of games where d4 is played are won.
That doesn't seem like a big difference.
It isn't... but if you are in a situation where it's win or hit the bricks, I'd take the extra half of a percentage point over nothing.
"For players with very limited experience, I recommend using openings in which the play can be clarified at an early stage, often with a degree of simplification. ... you will have to get used to playing with open lines for both sides' pieces ... teachers all over the world suggest that inexperienced players begin with 1 e4. ..." - IM John Watson in a section of his 2010 book, Mastering the Chess Openings Vol. 4
"The most significant phenomenon of the last few years has been the Berlin Variation, putting an end to nothing less than the move 1.e4." - GM Sergey Shipov (~2013)
http://www.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Vigorous-Chess-Opening-Repertoire-for-Black-A-76p3857.htm
Just wondering which move has a better chance of winning.