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How should I study chess openings?

#1

I’m a beginner. Following advice I found online, I started by studying endgames for a few days. But in actual games, I often get checkmated during the opening or middlegame, so the endgame knowledge never comes into play. I then decided to study openings and memorized a few standard lines, but in real games my opponents often don’t follow the "script," and things fall apart after just a few moves.

I’m a beginner. Following advice I found online, I started by studying endgames for a few days. But in actual games, I often get checkmated during the opening or middlegame, so the endgame knowledge never comes into play. I then decided to study openings and memorized a few standard lines, but in real games my opponents often don’t follow the "script," and things fall apart after just a few moves.
#2

Don't. I had the same problem.

Study the Opening principles. That's more than enough for a long long time. It frees you to learn without this "falling apart" because your opponent decided to just push Pawns or some other crazy stuff. (I'm speaking from experience...)

How Opening Study Could Be HINDERING Your Progress:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PP9_5Mck0co

(They're talking chess.com ratings in the video which are quite a bit lower than lichess, just fyi)

This study is a great intro to opening principles:

https://lichess.org/study/ygVnJzbX

Don't. I had the same problem. Study the Opening principles. That's more than enough for a long long time. It frees you to learn without this "falling apart" because your opponent decided to just push Pawns or some other crazy stuff. (I'm speaking from experience...) How Opening Study Could Be HINDERING Your Progress: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PP9_5Mck0co (They're talking chess.com ratings in the video which are quite a bit lower than lichess, just fyi) This study is a great intro to opening principles: https://lichess.org/study/ygVnJzbX
#3

"... For beginning players, [the book, Discovering Chess Openings by GM Emms,] will offer an opportunity to start out on the right foot and really get a feel for what is happening on the board. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2006)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
"... Once you identify an opening you really like and wish to learn in more depth, then should you pick up a book on a particular opening or variation. Start with ones that explain the opening variations and are not just meant for advanced players. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2001)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140626180930/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman06.pdf
"... For inexperienced players, I think the model that bases opening discussions on more or less complete games that are fully annotated, though with a main focus on the opening and early middlegame, is the ideal. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2010)
"... As [First Steps: 1 e4 e5 is] a First Steps book, I’ve tried to avoid encyclopaedic coverage. In any case, you certainly don’t need to remember every single variation and all the notes before playing the opening. Take in the first few moves and the key ideas, and then try it out in your games! ..." - GM John Emms (2018)
https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7790.pdf
"... Review each of your games, identifying opening (and other) mistakes with the goal of not repeatedly making the same mistake. ... It is especially critical not to continually fall into opening traps – or even lines that result in difficult positions ... Read many annotated game collections ... By looking at entire games, the aspiring player learns about openings, middlegames, and endgames all at one fell swoop. Playing through annotated games spurs improvement as the reader learns how good players consistently handle common positions and problems. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2007)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627062646/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman81.pdf
"... I am not a big fan of weaker players memorizing lots of opening lines they will never play. However, it is quite a different issue to spend a small amount of time learning how to play your openings a little better each time they occur. A long journey begins with a single step. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2005)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627023809/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman50.pdf
"... the average player only needs to know a limited amount about the openings he plays. Providing he understands the main aims of the opening, a few typical plans and a handful of basic variations, that is enough. ..." - FM Steve Giddins (2008)

"... For beginning players, [the book, Discovering Chess Openings by GM Emms,] will offer an opportunity to start out on the right foot and really get a feel for what is happening on the board. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2006) https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf "... Once you identify an opening you really like and wish to learn in more depth, then should you pick up a book on a particular opening or variation. Start with ones that explain the opening variations and are not just meant for advanced players. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2001) https://web.archive.org/web/20140626180930/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman06.pdf "... For inexperienced players, I think the model that bases opening discussions on more or less complete games that are fully annotated, though with a main focus on the opening and early middlegame, is the ideal. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2010) "... As [First Steps: 1 e4 e5 is] a First Steps book, I’ve tried to avoid encyclopaedic coverage. In any case, you certainly don’t need to remember every single variation and all the notes before playing the opening. Take in the first few moves and the key ideas, and then try it out in your games! ..." - GM John Emms (2018) https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7790.pdf "... Review each of your games, identifying opening (and other) mistakes with the goal of not repeatedly making the same mistake. ... It is especially critical not to continually fall into opening traps – or even lines that result in difficult positions ... Read many annotated game collections ... By looking at entire games, the aspiring player learns about openings, middlegames, and endgames all at one fell swoop. Playing through annotated games spurs improvement as the reader learns how good players consistently handle common positions and problems. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2007) https://web.archive.org/web/20140627062646/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman81.pdf "... I am not a big fan of weaker players memorizing lots of opening lines they will never play. However, it is quite a different issue to spend a small amount of time learning how to play your openings a little better each time they occur. A long journey begins with a single step. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2005) https://web.archive.org/web/20140627023809/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman50.pdf "... the average player only needs to know a limited amount about the openings he plays. Providing he understands the main aims of the opening, a few typical plans and a handful of basic variations, that is enough. ..." - FM Steve Giddins (2008)
#4

Start by finishing at 100% the learn practice sections.
Then review the tactical and positional motifs.
https://chesstempo.com/tactical-motifs
https://chesstempo.com/positional-motifs

Wait until you are better than 50% of players before studying openings.
https://lichess.org/stat/rating/distribution/rapid?username=fengfeng2025

A player should practice chess before specialising in openings. you never know what the opponent will play, so you cannot learn that opening until it appears often in your chess insights. Play more games to build your chess repertoire. Don't force a repertoire on your self. Let the chess insights build it for you. Then you can go study your weakest opening. Openings that you played the most in your rated games will be in orange in this link:
https://lichess.org/training/openings
By only practising the ones seen in the above link, it will help you specialise in those openings. A good healthy mix is probably best for a beginner.

Start by finishing at 100% the learn practice sections. Then review the tactical and positional motifs. https://chesstempo.com/tactical-motifs https://chesstempo.com/positional-motifs Wait until you are better than 50% of players before studying openings. https://lichess.org/stat/rating/distribution/rapid?username=fengfeng2025 A player should practice chess before specialising in openings. you never know what the opponent will play, so you cannot learn that opening until it appears often in your chess insights. Play more games to build your chess repertoire. Don't force a repertoire on your self. Let the chess insights build it for you. Then you can go study your weakest opening. Openings that you played the most in your rated games will be in orange in this link: https://lichess.org/training/openings By only practising the ones seen in the above link, it will help you specialise in those openings. A good healthy mix is probably best for a beginner.
#5

"... you must choose what openings you will be using. ..." - Journey to the Chess Kingdom, a book for beginners by Yuri Averbakh and Mikhail Beilin
"... You should play the simpler and more adventurous openings, from which you will learn how to use the pieces. Much later on you can go on to the more difficult openings - if you play them now you won't understand what you are doing ... Play the openings beginning [1 e4 e5]. ... if you haven't learnt how to play the open game you won't be able to use positional advantage even if you are able to get it. ..." - C. H. O'D. Alexander and T. J. Beach (1963)

"... you must choose what openings you will be using. ..." - Journey to the Chess Kingdom, a book for beginners by Yuri Averbakh and Mikhail Beilin "... You should play the simpler and more adventurous openings, from which you will learn how to use the pieces. Much later on you can go on to the more difficult openings - if you play them now you won't understand what you are doing ... Play the openings beginning [1 e4 e5]. ... if you haven't learnt how to play the open game you won't be able to use positional advantage even if you are able to get it. ..." - C. H. O'D. Alexander and T. J. Beach (1963)
#6

Use Colle!

  1. You can make 10 moves according to the script, on any moves of the opponent.
  2. You will not get a mat after 15 moves.
Use Colle! 1. You can make 10 moves according to the script, on any moves of the opponent. 2. You will not get a mat after 15 moves.
#7

@RemRus said in #6:

Use Colle!

  1. You can make 10 moves according to the script, on any moves of the opponent.
  2. You will not get a mat after 15 moves.
    You will bore your opponent to death!
@RemRus said in #6: > Use Colle! > 1. You can make 10 moves according to the script, on any moves of the opponent. > 2. You will not get a mat after 15 moves. You will bore your opponent to death!
#8

Gotham chess , YouTube saw me through with openings , his ten minute tutorials are great, should see you right to get to middle game xxx

Gotham chess , YouTube saw me through with openings , his ten minute tutorials are great, should see you right to get to middle game xxx
#9

@fengfeng2025 Study Complete Games so that you get the Opening Middlegame Tactics defensive Ideas 7 Endgames . So you are just starting out sorta studying Chess so choose a book with words like logical Chess Move by move by Chernev then maybe Chess The Art Of logical Thinking In Chess by Neil Mcdonall then maybe Understanding Chess Move by Move by john Nunn Then choose a player say V Smyslov & play over say 25 games from 125 Selected Games by V Smyslov ... Later you can then go over My Great Predessesors by G Kasparov where he examines all the World Chess Champions & their habits likes ... So you will also need some endgame 7 middlegame books as well 7 Chess Videos , Throw in some short games in a book like Plan Like A GM by A Suetin . After your done with most of this then go on read some modern works on Chess & you can try to understand other issues as well >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It doesn;t need to end & going over games & PLAYING Chess will help you discover Chess

@fengfeng2025 Study Complete Games so that you get the Opening Middlegame Tactics defensive Ideas 7 Endgames . So you are just starting out sorta studying Chess so choose a book with words like logical Chess Move by move by Chernev then maybe Chess The Art Of logical Thinking In Chess by Neil Mcdonall then maybe Understanding Chess Move by Move by john Nunn Then choose a player say V Smyslov & play over say 25 games from 125 Selected Games by V Smyslov ... Later you can then go over My Great Predessesors by G Kasparov where he examines all the World Chess Champions & their habits likes ... So you will also need some endgame 7 middlegame books as well 7 Chess Videos , Throw in some short games in a book like Plan Like A GM by A Suetin . After your done with most of this then go on read some modern works on Chess & you can try to understand other issues as well >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It doesn;t need to end & going over games & PLAYING Chess will help you discover Chess
#10

@fengfeng2025 said in #1:

I’m a beginner. Following advice I found online, I started by studying endgames for a few days. But in actual games, I often get checkmated during the opening or middlegame, so the endgame knowledge never comes into play. I then decided to study openings and memorized a few standard lines, but in real games my opponents often don’t follow the "script," and things fall apart after just a few moves.

If you often get checkmated soon you may need to learn how to defend. Do some Lichess puzzles daily of the theme Defensive move : https://lichess.org/training/defensiveMove

Good luck & have fun!

@fengfeng2025 said in #1: > I’m a beginner. Following advice I found online, I started by studying endgames for a few days. But in actual games, I often get checkmated during the opening or middlegame, so the endgame knowledge never comes into play. I then decided to study openings and memorized a few standard lines, but in real games my opponents often don’t follow the "script," and things fall apart after just a few moves. If you often get checkmated soon you may need to learn how to defend. Do some Lichess puzzles daily of the theme Defensive move : https://lichess.org/training/defensiveMove Good luck & have fun!

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