French Defense ( VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!)

 I wasnt objecting , I was disagreeing. Kasparov apparently disagrees too since he has played the exchange line as white even against Korchnoi ( and won ) . The stats may even favor black but the exchange is often played by lower rated players with white hoping to draw a higher rated player with black and this will certainly skew the stats. I have played the french as black ( and as white ) for several decades now and I can tell you that in more than 90% of the games that my opponent plays the exchange variation my opponent is lower rated. Its very rare that a higher rated player chooses the exchange against my french. As white I NEVER play the exchange regardless of my opponents rating.

Quoting Lev Psakhis on the Exchange Variation, "it is better not to waste your precious time on a variation in which, I am convinced does not give White a shred of an opening advantage. A few hours of your time are better spent studying the more interesting and enterprising variations."

 I agree that it gives white no opening advantage. I disagree that it gives black an advantage.

White always has a small advantage when it's his move in a symmetrical position. 

That's Incorrect.

I think I actually lost some of my hard earned chess strength by reading this thread.

the french defense is important because its a good start to the game and its good and beneficial cause it helpsboth sides control the center

WC matches aren't representative of a trend as a whole, they are to few and to far in between. The last year 1.e4 was played more at GM level than 1.d4, although not by much.

1.e4 is also played by all of the top 5 best grandmasters in the world today.

Happyface, my advice to you is that you read what people saying and try to learn from the comments rather than try to explain what you don't really understand.  No hard feelings due.