I'm pretty new to chess.com, but something I've seen in common both here and on Yahoo! games is players using an opening where they move only their pawns. Here's an example from a recent game on chess.com:

I realize that my rating is far higher than the other player (although this rating is too high, since I haven't found matches on Live Chess with players higher than around 1200) but is there an opening/method to using this strategy?

Another example from Yahoo!:

Am I missing something here?

early in the game you want to be developing other pieces. a pawn wall is easy to tear apart. you must be playing rookies.

As long as you are winning why question these things?

because sooner or later you are going to run across somebody whos not fooled by openings like this, and it really is a good idea to look into other, more effective, ways to open a game.

I don't open games like this. I was the one trying to develop. I was just wondering if there was an actual underlying strategy to an opening like this, because I've seen interesting pawn openings like 1. b4 that I have lost to.

no theres no strategy. thats an opening for somebody who is so unsure of themselves that they only put out worthless pieces because they know that if they develope a good piece it will probably just be taken. a pawn wall is pretty easy to take apart, just attack one of their pawns with one of yours. which one is up to you, but once you figure it you youll have it down.

All I can think of is that 1. h4 can later be used in a kingside pawn storm. I played 1...h5 once (in live) just for fun and then developed normally, and it actually made a difference during a later kingside attack (despite the success, I haven't used it since ;) )  As for moving lots of pawns in weird ways, no, I don't think there is any strategy.

Here's a fun little pawn storm that is quite a lot closer to theoretically sound!

People who use the pawn march, IMO are trying to win on time.  With quick pawn moves figuring it will at least  take a moment for a decent player to figure out what the heck is going on.  However, thats what the cavalry is for and easily beatin by equally quick sound development. 

Pawn rushes fail early in the game... i prefer not just randomely sending out my front line men and letting em die, but attacking from long range and gaining some type of space advantage early on. an easy way to defeat them is find the weakest pawn, or harderst pawn for them to defend, and just attack it..... or if they leave their King open, pretend their king is just a open pawn target  :).

Im not exactly the best chess player because i dont play too often, but i prefer the Scotch Gambit as my opening as it leads to many interesting games when they play into it... or play some weird variation (which should be rong) that just throw me off a little.

To Mosqutip: if you are, as you say, rated 1614, and don't understand basics, you've been winning a lot.  In other words, you've probably been playing mostly people who are rated below you, in order to get that rating.  So try playing people rated above you... you'll lose, but you'll learn too.

Heck, you can even play a Fourth center pawn instead of f3 in the Siamisch variation. Also, the Catalan is essentially a pawn formation opening.

Looks weak to me. The pawns are set out wrong.

How should they be set out rich?

to second_wind: I realize my rating is inflated, I put that in the original post. The problem is, on live chess, most of my opponents have been 1200 or less

People who open like this are so easy to beat. You can't just push a lot of pawns and hope that your opponent will twidle his thumbs. You have to develop all your pieces and then start an attack. Moves like these are sure to fail.

It is known as the ROT system. (Revolutionary Opening Theory).

There has been a lot of discussion on this in the past. However, by the chess.com community it has been dismissed as a load of rubbish. Ignore their play and continue with your sensible developing moves.

ROFL, I did that to my friend. It was really great. :)

No, an attack on the wing should be met with a counterattack in the center.  Black will take the center and have a substantial advantage.

The point behind the rook pawn openings is to allow a rook lift to assist in the attack while the rook pawn is used as a battering ram in a pawn storm attack.

The problem is that this opening is the worst opening in chess, even worse than 1.g4.  In rank 1.a4 is slightly better than 1.h4 because it does not weaken the kingside.  1.h4 creates a weak pawn on h4 that can only be defended by the rook and a pawn move to g3, further weakening the kingside.  It does not open diagonals for the bishops, and the knight's future is questionable.  The point of a rook lift is very slow, losing several tempo, allowing black to build up a powerful position.  Now for the theory.

1.h4

This opening is referred to as Kadas Opening

1...d5

This move takes a stake in the center and prevents a possible rook life unless white wishes to expend an additional tempo on a pawn move.

But, there is a better move.

1...c5!

This puts to question White's first move.  White would not play 2.d4 because it causes an additional loss of tempo.

2.e4

This is the only sensible move as others allow black to take the center.

2...b6

This move sets up a fianchetto to attack White's weak pawn on e4.  The defense of this pawn becomes very difficult for white.

3.Nc3 Bb7

This also prepares a d5 pawn break cementing Black's grip on the center.

4.Bc4

To prevent the bishop from being blunted by a defensive d3 after a d5 pawn break.

4...e6!

Black now has several threats: The d5 pawn break, and Be7 threatening White's weak h4 pawn.

5.d3

Probably White's best to get the other bishop out and castle queenside if possible.

5...Be7

Forcing a concession by white to deal with the threat.

6.Nf3

Again, probably the best move.  After 6.h5, black can just play 6...h6!  White wasted an additional tempo so black can use his time to prevent the advance.  Furthermore, White's dark squares are very weak.  If white instead plays 6.Qg4, then black gains at least two more tempos after 6...Nf6.  If white continues 7.Qxg7? black should play 7...Rg8! 8.Qh6 d5! and white is losing.

6...d5! 7.exd5 exd5 8.Bb5+ Nbd7 9.Ne5 Nf6 10.Bg5 0-0!

White is completely lost.