In article ,
David Richerby wrote:
jefk wrote:
yes, but most importantly, the initial 'advantage' of white can not
be increased during the stage of opening theory. on the contrary,
with perfect play black will gradually achieve an equal game
Objection. The witness is speculating.

Stronger objection. He is plain wrong. With perfect play,
(a) if chess is a draw then White has no initial advantage at all,
and Black already has an equal game; or
(b) if chess is a White win, then no play by Black can change that
[assuming that "perfect play" applies to both sides]; or
(c) if chess is [surprisingly] a Black win, then no play by White
can change that, and Black has a better-than-equal game.

--
Andy Walker
Nottingham