Why GM's avoid e4?

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se_grob

Firstly, don't slam me for saying that there are GM's that play e4 (and those that play both). I simply have noticed that espeically at the highest levels, most GM's and Super-GM's generally start with 1. d4, or 1. Nf3 (with transposition usually to d4 lines). Has anybody else noticed, or possibly have an explanation for this? 

AyoDub

1.e4 has more ways to equalise which have been worked out fairly completely.

csalami

Because they want to avoid drawish lines like the Ruy lopez marshall attack, petrov's defense, berlin.

Scottrf

They don't.

LoekBergman

Looking at the repertoire of Anand, Carlsen, Caruana and Svidler, they all play definitely 1.e4.

lolurspammed

If you don't wanna play the Berlin then white can avoid it with d3 or just play the Scotch or Italian :P

se_grob

I'm not saying that GM's don't play 1. e4, but that the majority of games start 1. d4. But I understand wanting to avoid drawing lines.

lolurspammed

And people say d4 is more drawish than e4...WHERES THE LOGIC.