Why do modern Grandmasters prefer playing quiet openings? I am rated 1450 and I am have been analyzing GM level games since I began playing chess. I noticed that most GMs consistently play balanced almost boring openings against each other and that only a handful of top level GMs consistently play double edged/ aggressive openings.
For example MVL is one of the few top players that plays the Sicilian as black exclusively. Finally I want to make it clear that I understand that while most openings aren't as crazy as as the Sicilian (at GM level) I know that they are complicated and challenging in their own right.
Aggressive openings often rely too much on preparation and most top players would rather play something &quot;quieter&quot;, trying to outplay their opponent later on, rather than exposing themselves to being surprised by a novelty thier opponent spent hours or even days analyzing at home.
Also note that the theory of some of those &quot;sharper&quot; openings is so deep these days that sometimes they're just &quot;known to be a draw&quot;. Take the Poisoned Pawn variation of the Najdorf Sicilian for instance.
That being said, it's worth noting that lots of interesting and even &quot;chaotic&quot; ideas are appearing all the time in openings that used to be considered &quot;quiet&quot;.