What are the Best Openings for Beginners? A Chess Coach Perspective

The Best Chess Openings for Beginners: Insights from a Chess Coach of Over 20 Years

As a chess coach for many years, I’ve had the privilege of guiding countless students through their chess journeys, from absolute beginners to advanced tournament players. One of the most frequent questions I get from my new students is, “Which chess openings should I learn first?” It’s a critical question because understanding the right openings not only strengthens your game but also builds a strong foundation for the middle and endgame phases.
In my years of coaching, I’ve seen firsthand how the right openings can transform a beginner’s chess journey. It’s not just about memorizing moves—it’s about grasping the principles behind those moves. Let me share some personal insights and experiences about the best openings for beginners and why they work so well.

Key Opening Principles Every Beginner Should Learn

When I first start working with a new player, I emphasize that the opening is not about memorization but about developing a good understanding of chess principles. These principles are what you’ll rely on throughout your chess career. In my coaching sessions, I often repeat these golden rules:

1. Control the Center

One of the first lessons I teach every beginner is the importance of the center. Central squares (e4, e5, d4, d5) are where your pieces will be most effective. I’ve watched many of my students evolve dramatically when they fully embrace this concept. Controlling the center opens up the board for all your pieces to move freely.

2. Develop Your Pieces Early

A lesson I always highlight is the importance of getting your knights and bishops into the game early. Early in my career, I made the mistake of focusing too much on pawn moves or moving the same piece multiple times. I’ve since instilled in my students the importance of rapid development—your pieces can’t help you from their starting squares!

3. Castle Early for King Safety

I can’t stress this enough: one of the most common pitfalls I see beginners make is delaying castling. A long-time student of mine once joked that castling felt like putting on your seatbelt at the beginning of a race—it’s essential, but easy to forget in the heat of the moment. Castle early, and you’ll avoid unnecessary headaches later in the game.

4. Avoid Premature Queen Moves

Early in my teaching career, I noticed many students would excitedly bring their queen into the action too soon, thinking it would lead to quick victories. I’ve since helped many of them understand that the queen, while powerful, should be kept in reserve until the time is right. A strong early queen can quickly become a liability if chased around the board.

5. Connect Your Rooks

Once you’ve developed your knights and bishops and castled, I always remind my students to connect their rooks. This often goes overlooked by beginners, but connected rooks can create powerful synergy, supporting pawn advances or defending key squares.
Please check out our comprehensive Opening Principles course to get a deep understanding of these important chess ideas.

The Best Chess Openings for Beginners: Lessons from the Field

Through the years, I’ve tested various openings with students, and the following are the ones I’ve found to be the most effective for beginners. These openings focus on key chess principles while also being relatively easy to learn.

1. Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4)

The Italian Game is the opening I often introduce to my beginners. It’s simple, clear, and teaches important lessons about controlling the center and rapid development. I remember teaching this opening to a young student of mine who was frustrated with the complexity of other openings. The Italian Game helped her grasp the core opening principles and, within weeks, her understanding of the game improved significantly.
Why it works: The Italian Game lays the groundwork for king safety and center control while allowing easy development. In one of my earliest tournament coaching experiences, this opening allowed a young player of mine to win against a more seasoned opponent simply by sticking to the basics.
Key takeaway: Use the Italian Game to learn how to get your pieces into the action quickly while keeping your position flexible.

2. The Sicilian Defense (1.e4 c5)

When my students get a little more comfortable, I often introduce them to the Sicilian Defense. I love this opening because it teaches beginners about asymmetrical pawn structures and counterplay, which are critical for developing strategic thinking. One of my most promising students, who loved aggressive play, thrived using the Sicilian. It became his go-to opening in tournaments, giving him the opportunity to steer the game into tactical waters, where he excelled.
Why it works: The Sicilian Defense allows Black to challenge White’s control of the center indirectly, making it perfect for players who want to practice counter-attacks.
Key takeaway: With the Sicilian, you learn how to fight for the center using pieces, rather than pawns, and set up sharp counterattacks.

3. The French Defense (1.e4 e6)

The French Defense is what I often call a “patient player’s opening.” For years, I’ve recommended this opening to students who prefer solid, slower games. One of my older students, who initially struggled with dynamic positions, found success in the French Defense because it allowed him to focus on structure and pawn chains.
Why it works: The French teaches students how to handle strong pawn structures and play patiently for counterattacks. I’ve watched many students gain confidence as they gradually learned how to dismantle their opponents’ center.
Key takeaway: The French Defense is about creating a solid base from which to launch future counterattacks. It’s ideal for beginners who want to focus on positional play.

4. Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5)

The Ruy Lopez is an opening that I’ve used frequently in my own tournament games, and it’s one I highly recommend to my students. It teaches the importance of building tension in a position without rushing. One of my students used this opening to great effect in a national championship—his opponent, despite being more experienced, crumbled under the long-term pressure created by the Ruy Lopez.
Why it works: The Ruy Lopez teaches beginners how to create long-term strategies and gradually improve their position over time. It’s not about quick tactics but about slow, steady progress.
Key takeaway: This opening teaches patience and strategic thinking. It’s a great way to learn how to manage closed positions and positional advantage.

5. Slav Defense (1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6)

I love teaching the Slav Defense to students who prefer a more solid, defensive approach to the game. A student of mine who struggled with complex tactical battles found peace in the simplicity and solidity of the Slav. It taught him how to build a rock-solid structure while waiting for the right moment to strike.
Why it works: The Slav is perfect for players who want a safe, structured opening. It reduces the risk of tactical blunders, which is a huge plus for beginners.
Key takeaway: The Slav Defense focuses on positional play and allows beginners to avoid early tactical mistakes while learning solid defense strategies.

Common Beginner Mistakes: Lessons from Coaching

In my years of coaching, I’ve seen the same mistakes crop up time and time again. Here are a few errors that can hold beginners back, and how I help my students overcome them:

• Over-reliance on One Piece: It’s tempting for beginners to bring the queen out too early, but this often backfires. I teach my students that early queen moves make the game harder, not easier.
• Neglecting King Safety: Castling is something many beginners forget in the heat of battle. I always emphasize the importance of castling early to protect the king and bring the rook into the game.
• Ignoring the Center: Beginners sometimes focus too much on the edges of the board. I encourage my students to prioritize central control because it’s the key to dominating the game.

Conclusion: Opening Doors to Success

As a chess coach, I’ve found that helping students understand the “why” behind their moves is the most important part of learning openings. The Italian Game, Sicilian Defense, French Defense, Ruy Lopez, and Slav Defense are all powerful tools that will give beginners a strong foundation. More than that, these openings are vehicles for teaching broader chess principles that will serve them for years to come.
Through years of teaching, I’ve seen the positive impact that mastering these openings can have on my students. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them not just improve their openings but also understand the deeper strategies at play. Remember, learning these openings isn’t just about surviving the first few moves—it’s about setting yourself up for success in the rest of the game.

Useful Links:
Modern Chess Openings Book, 15th Edition
Italian Game and Evans Gambit Book, by Jan Pinski
The Best Chess Openings Hub
Keep it Simple: 1.e4: A Solid and Straightforward Chess Opening Repertoire for White, by Christof Sielecki
List of Chess Openings, Wikipedia