Originally posted by exigentskyAccording to Dr. Hans Berliner in his book "The System, a World Champion's Approach to Chess", d4 is the best opening move because it controls three central (as oppposed to center) squares... if you think of the 4 squares d5, e5, d4 and e4 as being the 'center' squares, and the set of squares immediately surrounding the center squares as 'central squares', the opening move d4 controls 3 'central' squares (c5 and e5, controlled by the pawn, and d4 itself, controlled by the Queen)... e4 only controls two central squares (d5 and f5), and the e4 pawn is initially unprotected... if indeed there is a shift toward d4 as the more preferred opening move, it is probably because initial control of the central squares is now considered to be at least slightly more important that the 'scope' e4 gives to one's Q and B on the flanks...
I was looking through various chess databases (Gensunasumus, Shredder, ChessBase, etc.) and consistently it seems that E4 is no longer the highest percentage move for white. It is slightly inferior in performance to D4. Why is this?
Berliner (according to the notes in this book) "enjoyed consideralble success as an over the board player before turning to correspondence chess, and in this form of the game, his systematic approach made him a world-beater. His lifetime score was 94 wins, 1 loss and 10 draws. After winning the 5th World Championship by a margin of three clear points, he turned his efforts towards computer programming. He first wrote a backgammon program that beat the reigning world champion in 1979, and then he moved on to chess programming. His Hitech program won the World Computer Championship twice and was one of the first programs to score good results against top-level human players. He now lives in Florida."
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Originally posted by exigentskyThe Sicilian.
I was looking through various chess databases (Gensunasumus, Shredder, ChessBase, etc.) and consistently it seems that E4 is no longer the highest percentage move for white. It is slightly inferior in performance to D4. Why is this?
See "How to read NIC Statistics" at http://www.newinchess.com/Yearbook/Default.aspx?PageID=226, or in any copy of the New In Chess Yearbook.
Also see Thread 34701
"In fact best overall is 1. Na3 which has scored 100%."
Yeah, but look at how many games it was played in. It is statistically irrelevant.
Also, thanks a lot for the info TheBloop and Wulebgr.
BTW; Apart from my curiosity, there is another reason. I am looking forward to buying a repertoire book called Chess Openings for White, Explained: Winning with 1. E4. It is the counterpart of my black repertoire book Chess Openings for Black, Explained, all by the same authors. I love the current book''s layout and explanations and would like to buy the book for white too, but it worries me that if I were to use its information I would have to play with an inferior move, 1 E4. (Right now, I play 1 Nf3 most of the time.)
Originally posted by exigentskyAre you playing so well, that this really matters to you? Sure, e4 and d4 are both good opening moves, but couldn't a strong player beat you with a4? Who really cares if one has a slightly higher win percentage than the other? The real question is, "Is this truly relevant to your game or my game?" Short answer: "NO". STOP WASTING MY TIME!!!
I was looking through various chess databases (Gensunasumus, Shredder, ChessBase, etc.) and consistently it seems that E4 is no longer the highest percentage move for white. It is slightly inferior in performance to D4. Why is this?
Originally posted by exigentsky1 e4 isn't an "inferior" move; that's hogwash. Pretty much any opening move is alright IF you have an understanding of the system you want to play and the possible responses. If you're going to play 1 e4 you have to come up with a good system against the Sicilian in particular (as you're going to see it a lot), but that goes with the territory. 1 e4 is sending a psychological message to your opponent that you intend to play aggressively from the git go - although you actually may not. The type of response he makes to 1 e4 usually announces what type of player he perceives himself to be as well.
"In fact best overall is 1. Na3 which has scored 100%."
Yeah, but look at how many games it was played in. It is statistically irrelevant.
Also, thanks a lot for the info TheBloop and Wulebgr.
BTW; Apart from my curiosity, there is another reason. I am looking forward to buying a repertoire book called Chess Openings for White, Explained: Winni ...[text shortened]... on I would have to play with an inferior move, 1 E4. (Right now, I play 1 Nf3 most of the time.)
Originally posted by exigentskySeems like Players dont want to get into tactics, and prefer to grind 'em.
I was looking through various chess databases (Gensunasumus, Shredder, ChessBase, etc.) and consistently it seems that E4 is no longer the highest percentage move for white. It is slightly inferior in performance to D4. Why is this?
To quote FM Asa Hoffman, I play e4 (against weaker players) and if they know theory-I play d4.
D4 is a more closed game, and leads to strategic openings, while e4 is more open, and tactical.
Of course you can play anyway you want in any opening, but the theory is, if you are more positional, play d4, more tactical-e4
Originally posted by WulebgrHitting the nail on the head.
The Sicilian.
See "How to read NIC Statistics" at http://www.newinchess.com/Yearbook/Default.aspx?PageID=226, or in any copy of the New In Chess Yearbook.
Also see Thread 34701
Yup its the sicilian. Lots of white players are chickening out and playing d4 now.
"If you're going to play 1 e4 you have to come up with a good system against the Sicilian in particular (as you're going to see it a lot), but that goes with the territory. 1 e4 is sending a psychological message to your opponent that you intend to play aggressively from the git go - although you actually may not."
Yeah, but I haven't really found any line against the Sicilian that secures a lasting advantage for White, except mayb the Maroczy Bind. The Sicilian gives black basically equal chances against E4. 🙁
"if you are more positional, play d4, more tactical-e4"
Hmmm.. then I suppose I shouldn't play E4, I'm more of a positional player. but then again, I also need to get better at tactics.
Originally posted by exigentsky1.)e4 ... is best for the class player. Forget d4 unless you are positionally superior, and that's a rarity for the class player. I play e4 and quit playing d4. If Fischer says it's best, it's best.
"If you're going to play 1 e4 you have to come up with a good system against the Sicilian in particular (as you're going to see it a lot), but that goes with the territory. 1 e4 is sending a psychological message to your opponent that you intend to play aggressively from the git go - although you actually may not."
Yeah, but I haven't really found ...[text shortened]... play E4, I'm more of a positional player. but then again, I also need to get better at tactics.
Originally posted by exigentskyIf Black plays correctly, there's virtually no line in ANY standard opening that "secures for White a lasting advantage". I tend to play the most aggressive line I can find and throw the onus of accuracy onto Black to defend accurately; if you're going to be an attacking player that's all you can do as White in an opening. There is no automatic "lasting advantage" against good play.
"If you're going to play 1 e4 you have to come up with a good system against the Sicilian in particular (as you're going to see it a lot), but that goes with the territory. 1 e4 is sending a psychological message to your opponent that you intend to play aggressively from the git go - although you actually may not."
Yeah, but I haven't really found ...[text shortened]... play E4, I'm more of a positional player. but then again, I also need to get better at tactics.