White vs Black: the struggle of chess

Forgive the obvious title please!

Hey people, I would like to talk about the true differences of playing white and black. As a junior, most people my age love to play white because you move first and you decide the opening. This used to infuriate me for more some reason and so I wanted to prove to them that black is just good. 

The facts is is that white has a tiny advantage from the starting position as described normally by engines as roughly +0.31. However, whilst computers are boring and strong enough to carry that advantage through 100 moves or so, we are not chess engines and therefore can't per say. Lets take a look at the advantages of both sides in the opening.

       White (opening)

• You choose the opening and are generally more comfortable
• You dictate the pace and structure of a decent portion of the game
• You have the initiative
• If you prepare for opponents, then playing white requires less of this

        Black (opening)

• You can base your game plan on what your opponent does first
• Your opponent commits first
• You respond to moves more and can gain the initiative this way

In the endgame, there are several factors that give an advantage to white or black especially in king and pawn endgames. In an equal pawn race, white always queens first which often wins the game. However, there are some instances where white to move loses- whoever commits first loses. There is a lot to cover about the endgame struggle which would be better supported with pgn examples. Unfortunately I don't have the time to make them so.....(I might post some later on in the week)

Please feel free to tell what a bunch of baloney this is and also feel more free to add or do something related to this post. This is the rather rushed beginning of a series I want to create about pawn structures. 

"The facts is is that white has a tiny advantage from the starting position as described normally by engines as roughly +0.31."

.33 is a third of a pawn, or 1 tempo.  And that "advantage" means squat...or baloney (in your words)

There are way to many average players that get caught up in this, like it matters in their games. 

thank you and it's true

Nice!

Black actually chooses the opening. White chooses which variation will be played. However, there are exceptions.