I do not prefer Black as, for example at the fifth and last round of a five round tournament if I have had 2 whites and 2 blacks--much rather be paired with the white pieces.
However those who want to aspire to say expert or master should try and have a repertoire for Black which gives good winning chances. Even in correspondence chess where many play for the draw with Black--I think it is ok to play for the win....
I play to win with either colour, but it just seems easier with Black.
@ fischerandchips: nice quote!
You know what they say, White moves first, but black chooses the opening.
and white chooses how to attack it.
If I play the sicilian it's completely up to white whether we'll get into some long positional struggle or into some razor sharp tactical battle.
I do like playing black, and studying opening theory for black. But that's probably because you know that if you simply equalize you've already achieved something, while being white often you struggle to see where you "first move advantage" ended up.
Or maybe that's because we all naturally tend to root for the underdog.
But make no mistake, white does have an advantage and has also more choice.
I enjoy playing black more and, not surprisingly, I win with black much more often. Why? I think it is because the White player assumes s/he has the advantage from the outset, and as soon as that advantage is blunted or even turned around, black can pour into the openings. For me, it is much more a psychological, than a tactical, strategic approach.
I like playing black because you can copy the other player's moves. It can be annoying when you're on the receiving end, but it's a strategy that works for me 50% of the time.
Hi Jack, of course I agree that having the first move SHOULD confer an "advantage," but I guess I find that such advantage is often easy enough to blunt and, once the tables are turned, black is at no "disadvantage." Just a preference, I guess.
I prefer black. I'm more prepared as black in the openings.