why d4 is better than e4

I don't think any GM selects his opening moves because the statistics state that one move has a slightly higher win vs draw ratio. 

Database statistics are skewed based upon opening move.  Both e4 and d4 are essentially statistically equal.  

http://en.chessbase.com/post/1-e4-best-by-test-part-1

http://en.chessbase.com/post/1-e4-best-by-test-part-2

You are right. Carlsen appears to nearly care less about playing the absolute best first move, or winningest system according to stats of past games, etc. He simply wants to isolate your raw skill set against his. He knows what will be the outcome most of the time.

I posted that 3 posts earlier... lol

While I agree with the sentiments of the article, how did that work out for Anand playing Carlsen ? Also, when I force my Chessmaster to play itself and it opens with 1. e4, black wins...lol

Vishy's results with White against Magnus are hardly indicative of the quality of the first move...Vishy essentially played with his tail between his legs and played into positions Magnus thrives in aka Berlin endgames.  And even in the game(or games, can't remember) where Vishy played 4.d3 he could've pressed harder.  

You have your point, but mine isn't unfounded. The point is from the article that, luck could have almost as much to do with it as mathematical priciples could have had as much to do with it too. One could conclude that Vishy was unlucky that the games turned out as they did. So, was it a question of skill, the best first move or not being fortunate enough to realize that attacking Magnus at his strengths was a bad strategy ?

My point is evident from the information above. You could play either one against someone and run into any of the same set of problems.

AJIAN

I CANT BELIEVE YOU REFUTED E4!! YOU ARE A MAN AMONG MEN...AN ADMIRABLE BEING, IF YOU WILL.

HOW DID YOU CRACK IT? AJIAN, I DONT THINK YOU UNDERSTAND THE DEPTHS OF THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION.  YOU HAVE CHANGED THIS GAME FOREVER!

BLESS YOU, AJIAN. BLESS. YOU.

the fact is that d4 gives white a much easier to convert advantage.

I have heard that before. Even from the same person

GeniusChessMentor wrote:

nameno1had wrote:

While I agree with the sentiments of the article, how did that work out for Anand playing Carlsen ? Also, when I force my Chessmaster to play itself and it opens with 1. e4, black wins...lol

Best to get a STRONG! Chess Program first!...before. you Judge!

http://stockfishchess.org/download/

I think in that case, I think I'll see what Houdini 4.0 has to say about it....

So, d4 is better than e4?

Flip a coin if that suits you, if not, play the one that suits because, it is the best...

It's been 6 months since I last logged in...

People are still discussing the exact same thing.

The debate will likely rage on, no matter how much data is presented. It is like asking people what their favorite colors are and then for them to say why they think they are the best...

In other words...e4 is better than d4?

Until people can play as well as engines and chess is solved to the point to distinguish a clear best, first move, the debate will rage on and the game likely won't ever be long enough for it to matter.

Stupid question, has anyone here asked themselves, I wonder if I would have played e4 instead of d4 or vice versa that, you might have won the game ?

I am sure that it has been asked before. I don't mean that you asked it because, you though your experience versus your opponent's in your past games, after that first move was played, would have made a difference out of familiarity with the systems that are common place afterward.

I mean you asked the question because, you simply thought that somehow that first made all of the difference and gave you the key advantage for you to win, inspite of what all of the other moves after it was played were, by both players.

I am thinking that if you thought that picking e4 or d4, in spite what ever else gets played, is what makes the diference in a chess, I am thinking you need to go back and study chess, quite a bit more.  Hopefully one day, you'll realize that it isn't the first step that gets you to your destination but, it is all of them. Taking the first and good first step is important but, the rest of them that come afterward have more of an overall impact than the first one you choose, in dictating the overall results of your journey.

So are we all agreed, then? d4 is better?

I think the following dialogue would be more interesting:

John Q Public: So you think e4 is better ?

Me: Sure...

John Doe: So you think d4 is better ?

Me: Sure...