Bias against Black!

I was wondering if the "White to Play and Win" propagates the belief that if you are playing White you will win. In real life, Black has almost as many chances of playing to win! How about (more) "Black to Play" puzzles?

I don't remember where I read this, but if I recall correctly statistically at the grandmaster level white wins ~56% of the time with 1.d4 and ~54% with 1.e4 (due to the power of the Sicilian). 

That's a good idea, maybe we are becoming subconciously used to having the white pieces with mate in two, and don't go through as many options while playing with black.

I was thinking the same.  Funny, I tried a couple puzzles that were "Black to move" and I didn't pay attention and kept moving the white pieces... like an idiot.  Was so frustrated as nearly every move was "Wrong".  hahaha!!!

Felt pretty silly when I realized Black was to move.  Heheheeee 

Well, the daily puzzles do a fair job at giving each color the move to win.

oh, Chessbuff, thanks! The ones I sampled or got to solve were all "White to play" - he he! I will sample a few more!

well, i have been solving whites and blacks. of course, you must be aware that chess is not a fair game. white starts first and has the initiative while black tries to equalize and wrest the initiative from white via counterplay. i mean, isn't this the accepted status quo? isn't this why in matches or tournaments a player can strategize by trying to draw with black and win with white? that's why i don't subscribe to the suggestion that " white to move " instills the notion in our minds that you always win when you have white. that IS already the norm, that you have better chances at winning with the white pieces. Of course, i am not insensitive to various interpretations  of this arrangement. we could play with red and yellow pieces. it doesn't matter really as long as you can distinguish which pieces are yours.  

if we have BLACK TO MOVE and win, do you want the black pieces on top, or on the bottom? should you always be looking from the bottom?

i don't think it matters. at least, it shouldnt.

I am not sure it matters whether the pieces are playing up the board or down the board. Depends on the position I guess. You could decide or just leave it to the standard: White plays up the board.

About the intrinsic advantage of White, I remember when I was younger, some of my friends would refuse to play with the Black pieces!

Sometimes when I play online, people will not trade you pieces. (When I own a room, I usually ask my visitor if they want to trade pieces so that each has a chance with either color.)

"isn't this why in matches or tournaments a player can strategize by trying to draw with black and win with white?"

 

There are two ways to play a game of chess.. you can play to win or play not to lose.  While there are some people who play not to lose, I'm not sure what pieces they use matter much, and people who play to win, generally do so with either white or black pieces.  It's more a matter of attitude, than color.

 

well, of course, people who come to the board at a tournament or match would like to walk away with a win, whichever colored pieces they end up having. this is already taken for granted. this is true even if a player strategizes to draw with black. if a blunder or inaccurate move is made by white, then no doubt the player with the black pieces will take advantage because nobody is a pushover, at least in my world. strategizing to draw with black in a match or tournament does not equate to a forlorn or diffident attitude at the board. it is more a matter of match or tournament strategy. A case in point is Ivanov and Akobian's draw in Cali at the Continental Championships after nine rounds.

Sometimes I get mixed around if I'm playing black because I'm so used to puzzles as white (in general, not just here). The queen on the other side is just a little nuance for black that I have to mentally check off every game.

What the #%&$ is the big deal?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? I used to think that it didn't matter what color you play as in chess but then I learned it did. JUust ACCEPT it, in chess White is easier than Black!!!

Daemon Panda,
it appears that you didn't read why I made the suggestion. It also appears you did not read the comments that other people made. Lastly, it appears, you couldn't present your point without using cussing! It doesn't matter to me what the colors are. I have met and talked to people to whom it matters. That is why I raised the issue. Lastly, I don't agree that it is easier White than Black. It depends. Hence, my point.

I think it is fine to have black on the bottom as long as you have the coordinates. Maybe make a note so as not to confuse the unobservant. Black to play puzzles usually help refine our thought processes as far as defense or prophylaxis are concerned. Maybe more than half of the time spent thinking before every move should be dealing with prophylaxis and black to play puzzles from the perspective of white seem to help to develop this. Of course this is still biased towards white, so maybe there should be four different kinds of puzzles: white/black to play from the perspective of white/black.

Can I ask what prophylaxis is?

I much prefer playing black and I have a much higher win percentage as it. I find it funner trying to counter white attacks than trying to create my own.

A quick google finds: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophylaxis_%28chess%29. I didn't know this.

Interesting topic, I think I will start recording whether I win more (or maybe think of it as lose less!) as black or white in my games.

Thank you for that link; it was most informative. :)