@8290
"black can also lose tempo by doing the exact same things"
++ Yes, black can lose tempi too, but then black cannot have a consistent win.
Say 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 Ng1 Ng8 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Ng1 Ng8 is a draw by repetition.
Black cannot repeat the exact same things if black is supposed to win.
I said before: if 1 e4 c5 were a black win, then 1 c3 e5 2 c4 is a white win.
If 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d5 were a black win, then 1 Nf3 d5 2 g3 c5 3 d3 Nc6 4 d4 is a white win.
Sure black can avoid the best moves, but then there can be no consistent win.
"" The initial position is perfectly balanced: equal material, equal positions"
position is an assumption, given the tempo.
either checkmate IS or ISNT considered an advantage.
"White only has the advantage of the initiative: one tempo up. That advantage dilutes with each move"
that cant be proven by you.