I believe this is because grandmasters have to worry about finances. They can afford a draw and still have a good finish, but losses can really hurt them. So they would rather play less tactically and try to win without risk rather than letting the game get tactical.
Linares d4 Spree
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I think d4 is more flexible, for white, and black has fewer options against d4. Against 1.e4 black can play e5,c5,e6,c6,d6, all of which are very are very strong options and lead to different middle games. With 1.d4 black's main major options are d5, or Nf6 and they often transpose in the same opening.
Mar 12, 2009
0
#4
Fischer's opinion is by no means the last word on the topic -- there are certainly plenty of grandmasters who prefer d4 as well; perhaps more of them. It's a matter of taste and style.
All good reasons. Spiffe- I don't take Fischer's word as the bible, its just that 1. e4 is the most common in all master game databases. I was merely using the quote to back up the point.
It's easier for white to play for a win with 1.d4 (at the very top level)
There are no Petrovs or Sicilians to worry about, I guess the most drawish opening commonly played against d4 these days is the a6 slav.
Fair enough. I think what these above posts are saying, in essence, is that black has a lot less chance for counterplay in 1. d4 openings. Which I accept.
Thanks for answering my question.
ozzie_c_cobblepot wrote:
1.d4
Second-best by test?
More like 1.d4 ALSO best by test.
I think it's not so much a fear of the Sicilian as a fear of the Petroff/Berlin Wall/Marshall. Top level opening theory currently gives Black no less than three big drawing weapons after 1...e5!
Black counterplay isn't bad, after all that gives White chances too. But top GMs are often only looking for a draw as Black against their peers, and that seems easier to get after 1.e4.
Well, that solves the mystery of the mass-d4 use. Which apparently was only a mystery to me.
Anyway. Onwards to more searches for information!
1.d4 has always been my favorite opening for White. It makes the game very solid and strategical and leads to exciting positions when 1...Nf6 is played.
I'm not super huge on opening theory for White; tending to be better with the Black pieces. However, the lines I do know pretty well for White (Queen's Gambit, Queen's Indian, King's Indian, Sicilian, King's Pawn Game, and Slav) mostly fall under 1.d4 openings.
It's really just a matter of taste. I'm not very keen on positions that are too tactical, but I will play 1.e4 from time to time.
Bobby Fischer once said that e4 was 'best by test'. So I was curious to know why, at the recent Linares tournament, between some of the best players in the world, d4 openings took centre stage. Is it just a fear of the Sicilian? Here are the statistics I've just compiled for move one of the Linares games-
1. d4 (59%)
1. e4 (32%)
1. c4 (5%)
1. Nf3 (4%)