In standard Chess, the one who plays White has an inherent advantage over the one who plays Black.

Control of the GameI apologize for not making it clearer as to the issue I take with P2. It is the bit about 'forcing moves' that I think needs alteration; in a position of defense, black can force moves just as easily as white can. I'm sure any chess player can attest to the frustration, as white, of being repeatedly unable to carry out an offensive strategy because of a simple block, and in many a case, such a failed offensive strategy leaves white at a more vulnerable position than before the beginning of the gambit. As I have said, as white is doomed to play the aggressor, his moves are more predictable (the mind may, rightly, jump to the extreme predictability of black when cornered in midgame or endgame; this is an exception to the mold of white as the more predictable), thus allowing black to anticipate white's next strategy before the current one is finished, and afford black the opportunity to, if possible, take defensive measures that offbalance white by countering both the current and next offensive. Gradually, this ability to shut down strategies in their inception takes the active forced-hand from neutral to a distinctive advantage for black, as eventually white will be sealed in, at a zugzwang position; it will be better for white to not move at all, as no strategy will not be deflected.ZugzwangI had meant to address the zugzwang position after receiving your rebuttal for my first argument, since I find your style somewhat verbose, and easier to handle if broken down into smaller parts. Thank you for reminding me.I am actually glad that my opponent should mention the zugzwang position, since it seems to me that that very position is a hole in your argument; while you may conclude that it is more advantageous to be white than not based on that advantageous move from a non-zugzwang position, I conclude the opposite about that first move. As I have thoroughly emphasized, maybe overemphasized, white's forced position as the aggressor makes his moves more predictable. Even if an unanticipated move is exacted by white, a competent opponent would take little time to interpret its significance, simply because such an opponent would understand that white was obligatorily moving as the aggressor. As the game progresses, this forced aggression takes its toll, allowing white to eventually be lured into a zugzwang position, at which point it is no longer perceptibly advantageous to be white. While I'm no master of the syllogism, certainly not like my opponent, I believe this one accurately represents my position on this particular issue:P1: Moving first forces an aggressive strategy.P2: Mandatory-aggressive strategies are easily predictable.P3: A predictable strategy is more easily-manipulated.P4: An easily-manipulable strategy may be more easily forced into a zugzwang position.P5: A zugzwang position is not advantageous.C: It is not advantageous to move first.I realize that much of that argument relies on possibility rather than certainty. However, that it is possible or even plausible for such an argument to act as true eliminates the possibility of an inherent advantage to moving first.Grandmaster StatisticsAs my opponent states, almost failing to do so non-victoriously, I concede the grandmaster statistics argument to him because it is excellent; the best chess players in the world, and 'perfect' simulated games by analytical computers both indicate that the player who moves first wins more frequently. That is hardly debatable. However, this is not a debate of practical application, but theory, and while the practical application may speak in my opponent's favor, it isn't at issue, and the theory has yet to be established in either way.While I should probably proceed to make another argument, stay on the offensive, I have had a harrowing day and will settle for rebutting my opponent's argument alone. The way I see it now, I have provided an at least compelling counter for each of your points. Your move.