Choosing between 1. d4 and 1. Nf3

Looking at the opening explorer, I've noticed that 1.d4 and 1.Nf3 have similar win/loss/draw records in master games and often lead to the same openings. On the other hand, White starts with d4 more than three times as often as Nf3. Is there a principled reason why d4 is so strongly preferred?

The biggest difference I've noticed on my own is the Sicilian invitation: 1.Nf3 c5. This isn't a very common response for Black, and White has good replies available. It doesn't seem to explain the large preference for d4 over Nf3.

1.Nf3 c5 is not the "Sicilian Invitation", I don't know why opening databases always say this. It is just a move which is likely to transpose to the Symmetrical English (or the Sicilian!) And yes, it is the reason 1.d4 is significantly more popular than 1.Nf3 - this simple move stops white from having the traditional d4+c4 pawn centre that 1.d4 players are aiming for.

Fashion.

At our level, the LAST thing we need to be concerned about is the Master game win/draw/loss record of our chosen openings.

This too - database statistics are basically useless; they don't help you understand how to play the opening, let alone the middlegame and endgame

@blueemu Thanks, it's generous of you to say "our level". I posted in part out of general interest in opening theory and in part for my own game. For myself, I've been trying to follow the advice that newer players should focus on only a few openings. With the white pieces, I usually go for the Queen's Gambit, and I like to play The Sicilian against 1.e4. I've been enjoying 1.Nf3 because it almost always leads to those openings. So I don't mind 1.Nf3 c5, because I'm happy to play 2.e4 and practice The Sicilian. If, as my137thaccount suggests, 1...c5 is the main difference, then Nf3 is great for me right now. On the other hand, I might start with d4 if there's a significant difference in the QG lines.

Back when I was a 1600 player, it always nettled me when some dude hundreds of points below Master level would tell me "At your level, you should..."

Certainty not... most often nf3 transpose to a queens gambit, but English, KID, KIA, Sicilian are possible. Having switched from d4 about a month... the Lion is loving this. No more annoying Benoni, Benko, Albin, Dutch, Budapest, Englund ect. nonsense? Straight QG or similar... if opponent want English, fine... either fianchetto or play along. Even take on the Siclian, if you like. Can't avoid the KID guys but...

Not denying d4 and c4 is very strong... but most anybody these day have a pet line against?

Just passing by to say that the Dutch is actually very playable against c4, d4 and Nf3 setups! Especially the Leningrad, from my experience at least.

The Stonewall is not playable against 1.Nf3. White remains flexible to play d3 and e4, which damages black's structure. However the Leningrad is perfectly fine as you say

Against 1. Nf3 f5 Carlsen's gambit line with 2. d3 Nf6 3. e4 is very dangerous. If a way has been found to neutralize that gambit, then yes.

That's not supposed to be dangerous, black plays 1.Nf3 f5 2.d3 Nc6 aiming for a Schliemann Gambit type position with white's bishop on f1 rather than b5. What's more dangerous is 2.g3 is black wants to play a Stonewall.

I am not a Dutch expert and I have not played the leningrad and classical systems for too long - but against that gambit(?) I like to play e6. I think the positions that arise after e6 are very pleasant for both sides.

You mean on move 3?

yes on move 3! But that's just my preference. I also think it is not bad to play 3...d6! However, I am sure there are better ways to combat that line. I've read that 3...e5 is fine, but I don't think I would like to play that.

Certainly playing nf3 and transpose feels unnatural... but play enough, becomes second nature. e and d4 are probably a touch better than flank opening... but the path is well worn... most any serious player have a well rehearsed pet line, they are confident with.

I am a 1.Nf3 player and am having difficulties against the symmetrical English, variant c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 d6. After d6, Stockfish advises the White to play 4. d4, but this leads to Sicilian-type positions that I do not like.

Thinking about 1.Nf3 or 1. d4

You are thinking like a football player should touch a ball to his left side or right side?

Answer is it doesnt matter. Cos initial touch advantage in football is almost negligible to lead to a goal,  and also almost negligible in chess among strong players.

Win/ loss is determined by thematic series of well structured moves whenever opponent does mistake.

World Correspondence Chess Champion (1965-1968) Hans Berliner said that 1.d4 is best because, after this move, white controls more central squares than after any other opening move.

Just one? lol....keep on fooling yourself.

About that, and including yet another move, the most powerful entity in the history of chess, Alphazero, "said" that 1.c4 move is the strongest for the white to start the game. In addition, Alphazero very much likes the double 1.d4 2.Nf3.

What do you guys think about that?