Chess Openings?

Question

Hello All,

My question is this. What is the best opening for a beginner and why? My next question is, Are there any good chess free training site anywhere? Help. And thanks for your time with this matter. I want to get better at this so I can improve my game.

Answer 1

It's a difficult question and I'll tell you a little story to make it clear

When I just started playing 1.e4 e5 games were all there was. With white I ended up playing many Italian games that weren't too interesting. My opponents weren't much more enlightened and they played 1.e4 too, without making other claims to the centre. A few times people showed me better variations, but I it just didn't end up playing them.

Later I tried the Ruy Lopez and though this is better, it's a very slow opening. So, what I want to say is:

Don't do what I did.

Beginners are best off playing tactical openings with open play. At least, try to avoid those copycat positions that arise from the Italian Giuco pianissimo.

1.e4 is of course good. If your opponent doesn't play e5, the symmetry is broken at least. If he does play e5, I'd liven things up a bit. Try:

1. The King's gambit 1.e4 e5 2.f4
2. The Scotch 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4
3. A gambit, like 1.e4 e5 2.d4 dxc4 3.c3

You shouldn't worry about peole saying those openings are unsound. It's not true, and the most black can get is equality. If you can find your own gambit, that's even better. It's not about which opening you play, but how well you prepare it. Besides..I take you will be playing players of your own level.

With black it's a bit harder. Again i I would not worry about players that are booked up on some opening. They're not beginners.
If you meet such a player...that doesn't mean they'll have a crushing answer to your own play.

I do not mind playing the Sicilian with black. 1.e4 c5. Some people don't even play d4 with white and this will give you the chance to expand on the queen's wing. The open variation (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 and 3.d4) is more dangerous for both players, but you'll learn faster too.

Against 1.d4 I've played the Kings Indian since I was a beginner and I'd recommend it to anyone. Black plays his own game with ample chances to attack white on the King's wing.

If you must play d5, you'd better have some variation prepared. If not, there's a good chance white will slowly take the upper hand.

Good luck!

Answer 2

There are books written about hundreds of openings, and thousands of variations of each opening. There is no 1 "magic" opening.

That said, I would encourage the beginner to look at the Ruy Lopez, an old and well-analyzed opening, but it teaches lots of fundamentals.

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5

The best way to learn is to read and to play.

If you want to play online:

http://www.gameknot.com

Answer 3

Before looking at specific openings, look at two of Jeremy Silman's books:

The Amateur's Mind (first)

and

How to Reassess Your Chess (second).

Your opening choice should be based on your comfort level with particular types of positions, and not what other people play.

Check out the site:

www.jeremysilman.com, which is free.

Answer 4

Like the other guy said there is no one opening, but trying to learn the Caro-Kahn is a good one for a beginner because it lets the player set up and choose the type of game he wants to play.

Answer 5

first of all, all of the openings you give, with the exception of the Ruy Lopez, are weak opening traps designed to take advantage of amateurs. You should not try to play The Fried Liver Attack, Legall's mate and Scholar's Mate on intermediate or advanced players, especially advanced players as these openings leaves weaknesses that could be exploited by an experienced player. ps. you forgot the fool's mate

Answer 6

Well I like the kings pawn opening, e4. (moving the pawn infront of your king to spaces.) This imediately starts you on the way to controlling the centre, and free's up the diagonals for your bishop and queen.