Alright guys.

I'm looking to resolve a weakness in my game, namely chess openings. I was wondering whether any of you have advice on improving this part of my game? I'm not talking just learning one or two openings that do everything for me. I would like to understand the process and be able to improvise if needed when facing odd openings. Something a bit creative, or atleast understanding an opening rather than just memorising.

Have any of you got any methods/strategies/sites which helped you to do this?

I spend a lot of time with opening theory. In my experience it has always been beneficial to have a couple of openings to focus on for a couple weeks, then move on to a couple more. Use an opening encyclopedia as a reference, then look up games that correspond with the move orders (preferably higher level games) just to see what kinds of positions develop. Afterward, see if you can't find books or videos on those particular openings your analyzing. Lastly play the games your researching on a board (or mat) in person, and try out your own combinations, etc. See what works and what doesn't.

I always look at games to learn openings. If aou look at a lot of games with the same opening you will remember key plans and moves.

Don't concentrate just on the opening. Concentrate on the middlegame that follows.

There are three chess mentor courses, by Schiller I believe. There's also another course that has 50 openings or so. Then there's a course called The Beginning, Some Of The Middle. I am using my memory for the names, in any event there are five courses right here at chess.com!

Paying for chess.com at this time may be a bit difficult for me. Possibly in the future. Does anyone know any good books on openings that can develop that side of my game.

I'm getting reasonably confident with the end game and am developing my ideas on middle games all the time. My problem is, playing sub 1200's I'm very strong, however above 1250 and opposition tend to come out a lot better from openings so it gets harder to compete.

To improvise, you should understand the basic of openings..for me i develope the knights and the bishops first to any good square then castle and connect rooks..basically it's everything you should know about openings in your level.

I started concetrating on openings only when i reached the 1800 rating, and in my opinion learning openings before this level is useless.