Black win % addiction.

I posted not too long ago regarding sicilian for beginners.  I was surprised by a rather resounding nay.  I have attempted a little outside of the sicilian, and really do want to break away from it for the time being for a rather simple reason.  The more I understand about openings the less I want to play the sicillian.  That sounds rather opposite from what it should be, by my reasoning is this: I have begun to really understand control of the center, putting pieces on a solid square and refrain from moving them again etc. -- basic opening theory. As I learn the most basic opening theory, I realize, I don't understand in depth opening theory, and without it, I realize that the sicilian doesn't do for me anywhere near what it is capable of, and further more, suppose I make a certain move based on sicilian theory, and my opponent doesn't respond in a way that is to his/her benifit, I will not even know how/when to exploit it.  I will simply have started a game with theory, and then not carry out the intended plan.

So, my question is this, where would be a good place to start looking at alternatives to the sicilian?  I say "Black win % addiction" because while I'm aware that it is less important at my levels(and the levels to come for a while, even as I improve), I cannot seem to break my fear of typical defenses that seem to give white a heavier advantage.  I feel drawn to play sicilian because of the numbers, despite there lesser importance at considering the level of my opponents(and myself.)

I think it's important that I point out that I feel fairly comfortable playing the Spanish opening as white, but whenever I am black I feel too much at a disadvantage playing it or similar lines as a defense.  Is this something I should simply attempt to "get over" for the time being?  I hope this will give those willing to help a little more information about my situation, rather than simply "what should I play as black?"  I appreciate any input.

the french defense is 1.e4 e6 2. d4 d5...you might like that.  i respond with e5 becuase i have gotten really comfortable with several variations

I would play 1...e5, the idea's behind king pawn opens are more straight forward and easy to understand.

stop looking at the chess.com game Explorer or anything like it!!! it will ruin your confidence in openings! maybe it already has!!!

buy a book about chess openings/sicilian/anything oyu think you will want to learn, try to spend the money wisely, don't buy a book called "the french" if you don't want to learn the french opening.

period.

the exclamation marks were a bit too much...

Ohh that is rather detrimental news indeed... But is there nothing to be learned from the hundreds of thousands of examples?

I bet someone told you that 1...c5 was by far the best. Not true at all, especially below  master level. You should pick an opening that suits your style and is sound (but basically all of them are). Even as you understand the positional ideas of the sicilian, the very sharp tactics can make anyone uncomfortable. For more positional openings I suggest the french defense, which aims for breaking down the white center with ...c5 and ...f6 often winning some control over it, and the solid caro-kann 1...c6, although black doesn't get alot of counterplay with c6.

Learn the Caro-Kann!

IMO, e5 is the best response to e4 for beginners.  I didn't start playing the Sicilian until I'd been playing chess for about 4-5 years.

The Pirc (1. ... d6) might be another good beginner opening (though I don't play it myself) against 1. e4.

And I know what you mean about the whole "% win addiction".  I've lost a few games going with the numbers instead of my intuition & my own sense of chess style.  I can't help but look though, for me it's almost a relief when my games get "out of the books".

If you want something good, you can play e4 d5, its a little defensive, but it works and its a good thing to know how to play (with and against)

I switched from Sicilian to French Defense 35 years ago, and I've never been sorry.

I appreciate the comments, no one really told me that 1....c5 was the best, just looking at the win percentages c5 tends to be at least one of the best, but as its been stated, thats at the master level.  But Narz, I really connected with what you were saying, and I appreciate that.  I think I will examine further, e5 and openings corresponding with that response.  What I'm sort-of learning is kind of what you mentioned Narz, it's better (most of the time, except for traps or similar situations perhaps) to go with something that makes sense, and you know your reasoning behind, than it is to with the numbers.  Anyway, I still would like to read more responses from anyone who wants to take the time, thanks.

 i went from the dragon to the french about 15 years ago and have never looked back!  (ill play the dragon out of nostalgia on occasion, but less than 1 in 20 games)

Well my confidence in many openings is certainly opening up, but it's just so hard to argue with the numbers.  I'm very mathmatics focused, and I think that plays a roll in it.  But again, I don't mean to overstate what I've already said, but it simply goes back to the theory, the intention of a move later, and the fact that I'm playing on a much lower levels than those facts and figures are comprised of.

Glad I could help WellRounded.

Certain openings like this one for example have great statistics for white but objectively are better for black.  Keep in mind also, a game of coorespondence is also vastly different from an OTB game with a clock ticking.

Don't be afraid to look at Opening Explorer but don't follolw it blindly.  If you want to understand an opening get a book on it or read an online article about it don't just play for the numbers cause when you're finally on your own you won't know the plan behind that opening.

1. E4/D4