DEBATE: What is best opening?

I think the answer to the question "what is the best opening" is very easy, but very hard to actually resolve.

It depends upon YOU. Mainly:

1. What is your playstyle ?

2. What is your goal ?

That means, everyone has different preferences.

But for masters I think the answer is easy: they need to be prepared for anything.

At our level of play your only important task in the opening is to reach a middle-game position in which you feel comfortable and confident. Whatever sequence of initial moves gets you there, is the best opening for you.

For me, that's:

As White: usually 1.e4 heading into the Ruy Lopez. Often 1. Nf3 instead, heading into a King's Indian Attack.

Black against 1. e4: Sicilian Najdorf.

Black against 1. d4: King's Indian Defense, Panno variation if the option presents itself.

I choose my openings so that I can be confident of reaching an unbalanced position, where both players have strengths and weaknesses and both sides can play for a win.

Only thing I know is how to block E4 with the horse and nothing else about the Alekhine defense

Yeah, it is the horsey thingy.

The debate over the best opening in various contexts, whether it be in chess, literature, or any other field, is a topic that sparks passionate discussion among enthusiasts. In chess, for instance, there's ongoing debate among players about the most effective opening moves to gain control of the board or launch a successful attack. Some argue for the classic openings like the Sicilian Defense or the Queen's Gambit, while others advocate for more unconventional approaches like the King's Indian Defense or the London System. Similarly, in literature, the debate over the best opening line or paragraph rages on, with aficionados championing iconic beginnings such as "Call me Ishmael" from Moby Dick or "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" from A Tale of Two Cities. Ultimately, the answer to what constitutes the "best" opening depends on individual preferences, strategic objectives, and the specific context in which it's being evaluated, making it a subject ripe for endless exploration and interpretation .

Exactly this.

Slav Defense Vs Queen Gambit

did you just copy that off chatgpt lol?

Chat-bot.

Opening as white: Réti, typically Réti Gambit though these days people have grown wise to it

Opening as black (e4): Caro-Kann, though sometimes I experiment with Nimzowitsch or Scandinavian

Opening as black (d4): Indian game

white: right now I'd say the Jobava. For a club player it's not just the Jobava, but the whole chigorin system is excellent - 35% of the time your opponent heads toward a pirc or french and often doesn't know how they got there. 
black: 1. e4 - today I'm going to say Petrov but that could change next month
1. d4 - still a fan of the tarrasch / semi-tarrasch here

Opening as white : london system very solid opening few weaknesses

Opening as black : e4:italian very popular easy to play

d4: slav pretty solid

according to stockfish, Queen’s Gambit for White, French Defense for Black

queens gambit is a nice opening and my favourite because it can be transfered to london systen

For me, I rather say the best opening for me is the Italian game and the caro-kann

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Gambit is a variation if the Reti Opening: Tennison gambit but usually comes from the Scandinavian Defense where White plays 2. Nf3. If you play right, you can gain a significant advantage and absolutely decimate your opponent's pieces.

Has anybody considered the unknown Caro-Kann variation of 2 e5?? I saw some very promising opportunities for White but I need real players to test the different positions.