For turn-based games that are solved, best play on both sides is a draw. (Tic-Tac-Toe, Checkers etc.). Of course, the position has to start out equal as well :)
Until chess is solved, those lovely eval scores those engines give us can be poorly "approximated" as best but in no way does that imply a drawn out result.
The only way to determine the answer for certain is to play every possible variation, because if there are variations that have not been played there might be a forced win there for either side.
Is the advantage (or disadvantage) that the first move gives great enough to overcome the drawing margin of almost every type of endgame?
Overwhelmingly people theorize no.
This topic is closely related to, if not encompassed within, the topic of chess ever being 'solved'.
I think perfect chess = solved chess = drawn chess.
BLAAAAAAAACK!
White is in fatal zugzwang, every single first move loses! Prove me wrong!
It's very possible that both players just trade material and it's a very anti-climactic draw.
Cy Young.
Everybody wins!
Between evenly matched humans, a draw could be expected. White's advantage of the first move is very small, nowhere near enough to win by force. If Black doesn't make some mistake, he should be able to hold.
The reality is that humans never play perfectly, so the game is always in doubt. There is no element of "chance" in chess, but human frailty is a good approximation of it. That's what makes it fun.
Agreed! Humans and human error is what makes chess fun.
Say both sides play a "perfect game." Is it a draw as Black to move restores the equilibrium, while when White moves it is thrown out of balance? I know it's theory but I think the accepted norm is that it will be a draw. Thoughts?