What's the best chess opening?

Question

What Chess Opening should you study and learn as a beginner?

Answer 1

As a beginner, there is no real "best chess opening". The reality is that at that level, players make so many mistakes that the openings they choose have little effect on the game. What is important at that level is following opening principles, such as developing your pieces, taking control of the center, avoiding early queen attacks, etc. Therefore, don't choose openings based on what is most objectively sound or what Magnus Carlsen just played, pick ones that fit your style and follow good principles. For white I would suggest playing something solid like a London or Italian Game, and for black I'd recommend any opening that meets white with a pawn in the center.

Answer 2

If you are a Beginner, the Best Chess Opening is "Don't Worry about the openings, just learn the Principles" ...

As you get better, you can learn a few moves in your favorite line.

Answer 3

When you're a beginner, the specific opening you choose doesn't matter all that much as long as you're following chess principles. In the opening your goal should be to develop your pieces, put pawns in the center and castle your king, and the specific way you do that isn't too consequential for now.

If you want suggestions for good openings for each color that follow these principles, from the white side I'd suggest playing king's pawn openings like the Vienna, the Ponziani, or the Italian. When playing black and facing 1.e4 I'd recommend responding with 1.e5 or the Caro Kann, and when facing 1.d4 I'd recommend something simple like 1.d5. Again, you shouldn't put too much emphasis on which opening you choose or how to play it like Magnus Carlsen, you should treat it as one of many methods to get a good position to start the game off.

Answer 4

I agree with Michel on the importance of getting the opening principles right. Until you reach 1400-1500, knowing the first 5-6 moves of the opening theory should be good enough.

On the lower levels, it is hard to use opening theory, as your opponent will make a random (most often inaccurate) move, which throws the hours of your preparation away. That being said, most of those inaccurate moves will go against the basic principles of the opening and will worsen the potion of your opponent.



The main thing is to understand what you are trying to do and keep to the developmental principles in the initial stage of the game:

1. Take control over the center with pawns.
2. Develop your minor pieces (Bishops and Knights) *always try to develop your pieces closer to the center so they attack the maximum number of squares.
3. Castle your King

And what not to do:

1. Do not bring your Queen out early, as she will be attacked by minor pieces and pawns across the board.
2. Do not move your pawns too much.
3. Do not start aggressive actions before you are done with your opening goals (first 3 points of this list).

Answer 5

The Best Chess Opening for Beginners is the Opening Principles :)

Chess Beginners don't need to learn Opening theory, only applying the Principles should be fine.

If you want to know interesting Chess Openings, Italian, Scotch and Ponziani are interesting choices for White.

French and Double King's Pawn are fine for Black.