user70: Fischer famously scribbled "best by test" on one of his score sheets after playing 1. e4.
Yet when I look at chess.com's database of games, 1. d4 yields a larger win %age for while than does 1. e4.
Was Fischer wrong?  If not, what changed to make this so?

user142: Aside from the fact that the difference is only .3% at master level games on chess.com's db, I think Fischer was referring to his own personal results.
A search on chess tempo for Fischer's games reveals that this is the case:
http://chesstempo.com/gamedb/player/239563

e4 (51.3% win)
d4 (15.4% win)

update: The statistics above are skewed because Fischer never played d4 as white. See comments. Still, my initial point is valid. It was his preferred opening. I don't think .3% makes him wrong.

70: <p>Fischer famously scribbled "best by test" on one of his score sheets after playing <code>1. e4</code>.</p>

<p>Yet when I look at <a href="http://www.chess.com/explorer/">chess.com's database of games</a>, <code>1. d4</code> yields a larger win %age for while than does <code>1. e4</code>.</p>

<p>Was Fischer wrong?  If not, what changed to make this so?</p>
 142: <p>Aside from the fact that the difference is only .3% at master level games on chess.com's db, I think Fischer was referring to his own personal results.</p>

<p>A search on chess tempo for Fischer's games reveals that this is the case:
<a href="http://chesstempo.com/gamedb/player/239563">http://chesstempo.com/gamedb/player/239563</a></p>

<ul>
<li>e4 (51.3% win)</li>
<li>d4 (15.4% win)</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>update</strong>: The statistics above are skewed because Fischer never played d4 as white. See comments. Still, my initial point is valid. It was his preferred opening. I don't think .3% makes him wrong.</p>
