Hello everyone,

I never really played chess too often when I was younger, but I've taken up a new interest in it. I'm pretty terrible, but I went out and bought a strategy book and have watched quite a few famous games on youtube.

I've heard from two different sources that it's wise for beginners to choose an opening offense and defense, and to stick with those for about a year to get the hang of them.

Any insight on what openings are the best for beginners to try to learn?

Thanks,

Operatics

The usual recommendation is for beginners to stick to the open games (those beginning with 1. e4 e5), as they lead to tactical positions, where you'll learn a lot. The Giuoco Piano in particular (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5) is a good starting place.

I definitely recommend heading to chesscafe.com, clicking the archives link, and checking out Dan Heisman's Novice Nook column, too. He had an early column on a generic study plan. He also had one on general opening principles.

--Fromper

Thanks, Fromper. I've played quite a few games using the Giuoco Piano opening (though the opponent usually does not play into its opening moves.)

I took a look at Heisman's Novice Nook; thanks a lot for telling me about it.

Regards,

Operatics

I second the recommendation of sticking to 1. e4 as White. As Black, responding to e4 with e5 and to d4 with d5 is also best. Keep in mind that your first 10 moves or so should either increase your control of the center, move an untouched piece towards the center, or get your king to safety.

Happy Fourth of July to all ye fellow Americans!

I have another quick question...

So I've been playing the Giuoco Piano pretty often online, and I am about 50/50 with my wins/defeats. Some times I make really stupid blunders and just lose the game early, but these things happen, I suppose.

I'm want to learn how to play the basics as Black now, and I've selected the King's Indian Defense as my opening/strategy.

But I have a quick question... how do I play the King's Indian Defense if white plays the King's pawn first? What's to stop white from moving that same pawn to e5 and attacking the knight?

I'm unsure what move order you refer to 'if white moves the king pawn first'..
No offense, but I think the KID is a bad idea, black surrenders the center to poke at it from the sides and play for c5 and e5.. A lot of potential for being run off the board without actually seeing clearly what you're doing wrong. Instead, I would take a look at the Queen's Gambit Declined.. The Tarrasch formation is particularly helpful in my opinion, though there are other choices. The QGD is the most classical of defenses against d4-c4, you'll find that to be simpler to combine with double e-pawn openings.

The KID is definitely not for the starting player, as you surrender the center and can get squashed if you're not careful. Same with the Sicilian Defense, even though you didn't mention it.

I second Perseus's recommendation of the QGD, as it is the foundation of the rest of the defenses to 1. d4. The Tarrasch Defense is also a simple, relatively open game that gives Black an easy time with development and has attacking chances.

I've seen alot of people say that the KID is difficult to play, but I really don't think so. The difficulty of play is directly proportional to the skill of the person you are playing. So everything is relative. If you are playing someone who is alot better than you are, your chances aren't too good no matter what opening you choose. If you play someone who is worse than you are, then you'll probably win. The opening is really isn't very important. Learning to choose which moves to make and why is the key. Don't give away your pieces and you'll have met your first goal in learning to play chess.

I've also been told by multiple people that classical openings are best for beginners. Stick with 1.e4 as white and play 1.d4 d5 as black. Perhaps you could learn to play the Slav or Semi-Slav againt 1.d4.

Whatever you do, go back and re-read your books every few months. Your knowledge will grow, so you'll be able to understand more every time you go back. There's just so much stuff that just doesn't make sense to someone who is clueless and is just trying to figure out what Bb5 means.

Stay away from blitz while you learn - slower games are extremely helpful and instructional.

I find that open games, for me, are a lot less complicated than closed games. So I would prefer openings such as the Italian, the Spanish and the Scotch Game.

Also, I would advise to stay away from more Hypermodernist openings (Reti, Benko, Nimzo-Larsen, Polish, etc.) due to the fact that, if you're not careful, you might end up getting overwhelmed.