Do drawish openings give better chances for black?

Ok so i use Explorer to study openings, because they show other players stats as well. And usually, drawish openings, such as the Exchange Variations of the French and the Caro-Kahn, give 50%+ draws on Masters' games. BUT, the stats say Black has close if not greater chances, on online games.

Keep in mind that online players avoid draws like it's the plague, because it's more fun to go for the win or at least a nice attack.

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I suppose drawish openings kill most of white's attacking changes, which is it's initial advantage, plus white players who still insist in an attack might get their hopes crushed. Also these lines are less popular, therefore both players will have to play real chess.

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Personally i've been using some of these drawish openings to get better chances with black, and it has been working well. Went as far as studing these a little so i can just blitz out the main lines and take advantage of any mistakes my opponent may do

Because you could learn a thing or two from a much higher rated opponent

@lendacerda

Long story short, it depends on the symmetrical position.  Some openings, like the Four Knights game, indefinite repetition leads to a win for White due to a tactic where White goes first.

In other cases, it can be to White's detriment as White has to commit first.  The one symmetrical line that I get a lot is in the French:

I get this position a lot as Black (I am not dumb enough to play 3.exd5 as White - Only 3.e5 or 3.Nc3 for me!).  The onus is on White to show something.  VERY OFTEN I get 12.h3, which I think is highly dubious.  It forces me to make a move I want to make eventually anyway, 12...Bh5, and then I can contest the battery with ...Bg6.  White can no longer do that as Bg5-h3-g3 drops a pawn.

So it all depends on which symmetrical opening you are referring to.

Yes indeed. I think it's cause white can give check first, breaking the symmetry. But on drawish positions, i don't refer to symmetrical positions only. The Exchange Variations of the Caro Kahn and the French Defense also lead to very drawish endgames, with correct play of course

Thrillerfan always presents this french exchange as better for black which is quite ridiculous.

White is not forced to play h3 and on other move, position is equal or slightly better for white.

Moreover, white can deviate some moves earlier...

Caro Kann exchange is not symmetrical and doesn't lead to drawish positions

exchange caro kahn

Nowhere did I say it's better for Black.  It might actually be slightly better after 12.h3?!, but I never said it's not equal.  That's all it is is dead equal, but the onus is on White to not play dubious moves to break the symmetry, unlike the Four Knights, where the onus is on Black not to maintain the symmetry for too long.

I never said Black is better in the Exchange French.  It's a dead draw with correct play from both sides, but there is more room for White to error in the Exchange French than Black as Black can merely mimic White without any issues.

Also, I simply said that I get a lot of players that play 12.h3.  I never said 12.h3 is forced by any stretch of the imagination, but from a practical standpoint, if this lazy move is what most amateurs are going to play, I'm not afraid to play a symmetrical defense at all.

And I also never said that White can't deviate.  I have games where White deviates from that, but that is the quote-unquote "Main Line" if there is such a thing in the Exchange French.

Why do you always like to twist what I'm saying.  Read the post as it is, don't try to put words into it!

And to give a complete answer on the theory of the exchange French would mean a 200 page book, not a forum post.

Well, u always give the same moves to tell white has problems to find something, when h3 is not so good.

Ok but u never talk about other moves from white, which can mislead most here reading you.

For example, 9.b3 with idea c4 or even c4 to play for an IQP lead to unbalanced games and no symmetry.

The problem is not your way to think, its your way to show moves and ideas.

Instead of always defending your thoughts when some criticize them, try to avoid it explaining well or let's say, with an objective view. Just reassess yourself a bit please.

I used to play the exchange french with the immediate c4 for a win. I think I was 5 out of 6 and no losses. I worked a lot in prep and I didn't play really strong players...

So to the OP, if you want better chances, it's not as simple as choosing a line that does _____ or _____. Maybe you personally like maneuvering games, or counter punching games, but the important thing is to choose a line that you put some work into. That is what will give you chances. You can pick pretty much anything.

I have had excellent results with Black against it, typically answering 4...Nf6 and if 5.Nc3, then 5...Bb4.  Do not take on c4 until White has moved the Bishop (similar to not taking on c4 in the QGD).

Not making any claims that Black is better, but again, it's just as equal as the symmetrical, just not quite as dull, but personally, my results are great on the Black side of the 4.c4 line.  (Referring to over the board - internet blitz is meaningless - though I will say that even here, I have 9 wins to only 5 losses as Black after 4.c4).  Overall over 60% score with Black (58% wins, 7% draws, 35% losses in 78 games).

Yeah, I meant OTB. I was playing 1600-1800 players at the time. I think most of them were bored with the position, meanwhile my hero was Ulf Andersson so I didn't mind very long games with reduced material.

That's another good point... sure pick an opening you put some work into, but also pick something that makes you excited to play it. Play over GM games to get ideas you're excited to try in your games. If nothing excites you then don't pick that opening.

You should not play and opening for the explicit reason of being known to be drawish. If you play for a draw, you won’t win, and much of the time you will lose.

I didn't say it was symmetrical, but the L explorer says it leads to many draws in masters games

I do not play for a draw whatsoever, thats no right way to play chess  However, what i'm believing, is when people go for drawish lines, on online games, if anything it just favors black, as white's attack options fade away.

I think 'drawish position' is different than 'playing for a draw'