Is "White" Better Than "Black" When You're Playing Chess?

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Courtney-P

 I have discovered that I would rather play the black pieces than the white pieces.  I feel as though I play better as black. That may be because my opening repetoire as black has gotten "solid" as far as an amatuer like myself can say.  You wouldn't say I'm flawless as black or anything like that but definitely more comfortable and successful with the Black peices, if only in my head.

Maybe I'm playing crappy openings as white.  I like The King's Gambit, Scotch, Vienna and the Grand Prix and the English if I'm feeling positional.

In essence the idea I'm pondering is abandoning the first move initiative and playing a solid waiting move as white for my first move

Is this just laziness?  Perhaps.  

Or pure genius? Just kidding!  Only kidding   

Is this even possible, is this wise?  The more I type here the more I realize it is just laziness.  I feel as though I've gotten "Good" with the black pieces and good is a very relative term.  You're reading each word in this post and I appreciate it.  Thank you for taking your time to do so.

If you know a way to accomplish this and feel it is wise, I encourage you to share your thoughts. 

Or if you think this is a bad idea and perhaps I should hone my repetoire as white I am open for suggestions. 

Very interested in hearing everyone's thoughts.

Peace and Piece

thesoulwatcher

White is technically "better'' since white moves first, there is always the 1 move ahead advantage. Playing as black would be better to improve, since black must be 2 moves ahead to win, and 1 move ahead to draw.

Bubatz

I play better with Black too. I fancy that when they finally solve chess, they will find that White was in Zugzwang from move #1.

Aditya_Deshpande8

yes....also you could try some passive openings when you play white such as the london system.....and then play solidly and defensively, until your opponent makes a mistake....(said that because opponents of amateurs like you and me often make mistakes)

Courtney-P

Thanks for your kind replies.  

Re: AdvLegitimate 

That waiting move is too funny.  I will stick with the scotch and look into the QG and the Ruy Lopez. 

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Re: thesoulwatcher

I never thought about a move advantage, that's interesting.

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Re: Shadowknight911

I agree that it probabbly doesn't determine outcome below expert, more likely whoever makes a mistake or blunders first loses.  I used to play the KIA and will look into the Stonewall. 

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Re: Bubatz 

That would be funny.

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Re: Aditya_Deshpande8

That's not a bad idea.  I've heard of the London.

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Re: Estragon

Work on defeciencies.  That sounds alot like "get out of your comfort zone"  Good advice

 

Good advice from all.  Thank you gents!

transpo

There are advantages and disadvantages for every move in chess.  Even before the first move is made.  Take the original starting position of the pieces and pawns.  Both White and Black have a weakness.  For White the weakness is at f2.  For Black the weakness is at f7.

But, actually you elucidate a very good point about the first move.  There are 2 theories of chess:

Classical Theory - Control the center by occupying it with your pawns and pieces.

Hypermodern Theory - Control the center by using the power of your pawns and pieces.  In this way you do not create targets for your opponent to attack.

The hypermodern theory of opening with White is 1.Nf3, 1.Nc3, 1.c4, 1.b3, 1.g3.  Aaron Nimzowitsch was a great advocate of the Hypermodern Theory.  He wrote an article 'Die Blockade' first.  Then he wrote, "My System", and finally he wrote "Chess Praxis."  In all 3 of these his main themes are restrain blockade, execute the criminal.  His reasoning is restrain, blockade, and finally do the corageous act and execute the enemy pawns and pieces.  Restrain and blockade are themes that can sometimes encompass the entire king's or queen's wing, and sometimes the entire position on the board.  He was a staunch defender of the small but secure center which if the opponent chose to dismantle it prematurely would be punished forthwith.  His whole system has been read and studied by just about every strong player since its publication to present day.

So, after all that I guess I am saying 1.e3 is playable, but be prepared for space problems if Black decides to establish a large center.  You will have to learn to 'manouver along inner lines' as Nimzowitsch eplains in great and insightful detail in his writings.  There are many other subjects he covers in his 3 publications.  But they all are tied back to the central themes of restrain and blockade.  Aaron says that this is so because chess is siege warfare.

In his thesis he espouses one overriding principle:

Winning chess is the strategically and tactically correct advance of the pawn mass. 

Well I hope this helps.  Just think of playing White as if you are playing Black with a move in hand.  Good luck and long hard study in becoming a 'professional gunslinger' (very strong player.)

JeremiahMullen

Honestly I feel I play better with black as well, the truth of chess maybe that if you over extend you take a disadvantage, but then having the first move allows you to press forward, I think the trick with white is to play in a way that does not advance without support, and create pins....pins win, and do not advance without support....and yes play at both wings, because you will find you need to create 2 weakness.

pabloprieto10

the black pieces are better you can see what are the intentions of your rival since the begining

Leela_03

I win more with black! I like to play black better.

catlover123456

I, too, prefer playing black. It allows me to be on familiar terriotory from the beginning.

Tamerlan_23

with black you build your plans on your opponents plan

deatheater2160

dosent matter

 

drmrboss

White players score 55% while black get 45% in average(both human and computers). So white has +35 elo advantage due to initial advantage. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-move_advantage_in_chess

JeremiahMullen

well honestly there are refuted book openings for both players, it is a questio

n of who knows more...

vanjr1425

Me = better w black (but it is close)

Blitz: 

  • White 122 (48.4%) 113 (44.8%) 17 (6.7%)
  • Black 127 (48.8%) 120 (46.2%) 13 (5%)

Daily:

  • White 16 (44.4%) 20 (55.6%) 0 (0%)
  • Black 16 (45.7%) 18 (51.4%) 1 (2.9%)
Homsar

Yes, but only marginally. The advantage of having the first move provides you with a slight initiative. 

CheckmateFever11
 


It depends.[It depends].

 

zmfwy
Look at this one, if I was playing as white, I don’t know what black is doing

But this one: I see if white goes e4 or d4 or else stuff


 I know why I would play as black: you go second but it’s secretly an advantage: you get to see what move there planning: here I will show you

 

 

 

qrayons

It depends on the game. If I'm white, then black is better. If I'm black, then white is better.

ponz111

if I am playing White--I think I have better winning chances.  If I am playing Black-I think I have better winning chances!?