Is it really an advantage is it to play white in Chess?

Question

I know it confers a definite advantage, in that white moves first and has more choice in the opening than black does, and usually at the GM level black will be content with a draw. However, has anyone ever assembled real statistics to demonstrate at the pro level that white is actually much more likely to win? I know that in many games I watch, black seems to win as often as not in a Sicilian, and draws seem much more likely for white in flank openings like Reti's opening or Larsen's.

How much more likely is white to win at the international tournament level?

Answer 1

Technically there's no advantage, because if both players were to make all the right moves, the game would be a draw.

However, in practice, I'm pretty sure White does have a higher win percentage overall.  It varies with opening.  There are databases online with thousands of games stored, and I've seen one before that actually gives the percentages after each move you do (mind you, they are percentages based on the games in the database, not all games.  But since they're such large samples, it's probably pretty accurate when speaking of all games).  Google something like "chess database" and you'll find some easily.

Answer 2

there is no real advantage if white goes first. Lets say white plays e4 black has 8 common moves to play against it. With d4 there is only 7. So there is no clear advantage. In fact black probably has more openings then white.

Answer 3

Yes.  Side tid bit.  The White goes first was introduce in the 19th century to compensate for White for his opponent getting the "lucky" black pieces.

http://www.chess.com/survey/does-white-h...

stupid survey found in my search

You'd think defenses reversed would then be great.  Trust me, Bird's as the Dutch reversed is worthless.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-move_...

yes, it is real, but minor.

Answer 4

If you know what you are doing in chess, white has a slight but persistent advantage throughout the game.

The advantage can be wiped out in a game of chess though with an understanding of the board and the game in general.

Bradford

http://www.braroechess.com

Answer 5

The answer is yes they have done that kind of analysis.  In each version of the Modern Chess Opening they will give a rating for each opening who it gives the advantage to.  A + means white gets the advantage = means equal chances and a - means black has the advantage.