Step 1) Selecting your lines

Introduction to classical openings - 

Classical openings are the most common openings and are played frequently at every level, from beginner to master. I recommend playing and mastering classical openings before trying to master other openings, because they are more frequently played and have concepts and themes similar to other openings. There are two different categories of classical openings -

• King Pawn Openings (White opens with 1.e4)
• Queen Pawn Openings (White opens with 1.d4)

Both the types of classical openings lead to different middle and endgames. The differences between both groups of classical openings is very distinct and, as White, you should choose your opening based on your style of play. Here are some general points - 

*NOTE - These differences between King and Queen Pawn openings are NOT always applicable, this chart should be used as merely a guide to which opening you should try

To decide which of the two classical openings types you would like to try, think about your style of play. If you prefer aggressive, attacking lines, then you should try King's Pawn openings, however, if you prefer more slow, positional games, you should opt for Queen Pawn Openings. If you are unsure of your playing style, I recommend you either analyze your games, or take this personality quiz created by Danny Rensch to see which type of opening suits you best. 

Which lines to select -

For playing at a club level, I recommend that you know how to play a minimum of 3 opening lines. This does NOT mean that you have to memorize 20 moves deep of each line, this means that you should know the ideas and concepts of 4 lines. (unless they are sharp lines, such as gambits) Ideally, you should have 1 defence as Black against 1.e4 and 1.d4, and classical opening for you to play as White. (More advanced players tend to expand their repertoire as they improve, but 3 openings, in my opinion is a good start)

Here is a list of openings for different types of players - 

Aggressive Players (Openings for White) - 

If e4 e5 - 

•  The King's Gambit (2.f4)
• The Danish Gambit (2.d4)
• Evan's Gambit (2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4)
• The Fried Liver Attack (2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5)

If e4 c5 - 

• Smith-Morra Gambit (2.d4)
• The Grand-Prix Attack (2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4)

If e4 e6 - 

• Korchnoi Gambit (2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.c3 c5 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.Ngf3 cxd4 8.cxd4 Qb6 9.O-O)
• Milner-Barry Gambit (2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.Bd3)

Aggressive Players (Openings for Black) - 

Against 1.e4

• The Marshall Attack (1..e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5)
• Scandinavian Defence, Marshall Attack (1..d5 2.exd5 Nf6)
• Sicilian Dragon (1...c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6)
• Sicilian Najdorf (1...c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6)

Against 1.d4

• Grünfeld Defence (1...Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5)
• Budapest Gambit (1...Nf6 2.c4 e5)
• King's Indian Defence (1..Nf6 2.c4 g6)

Positional Players (Openings for White) - 

If d4 Nf6 - 

• The Catalan (2.c4 e6 3.g3)

If d4 d5 

• The London System (2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4)

Positional Players (Openings for Black) - 

Against 1.e4

• Philidor Defence (1...e5 2.Nf3 d6)
• French Defence with 3..c6 (1..e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 c6
• Caro-Kann (1..c6)

Against 1.d4

• The Slav Defence (1..d5 2.c4 c6)
• Czech Benoni (1..Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5)

*Remember that lines serves only as a RECOMMENDATION for what openings to play. 

Step 2) Do Research

Once you have selected your repertoire, start learning the lines. The best way to do this is to use opening books and databases. It is also extremely useful to look at master games using the same openings. Some good websites to learn openings arethechesswebsite.com which has a lot of instructive videos and chesstempo.com which has a massive collection of masters games. (You can also use the chess.com database, explorer and openings features) Finally, watch top grandmaster games in your chosen opening and learn the ideas in the opening, as well as the plans. That way, instead of memorizing a bunch of lines, you can know what to do in almost every scenario. It is also helpful to learn all the traps you or your opponent could fall into in your chosen line (Keep in mind, some lines do require memorization)

Step 3) Practice your openings in blitz games

Before practicing your new lines in classical games, try them out in blitz games first to see how well you know the lines. This method will also help you find new variations that you might need to learn.The more you practice the opening, the more comfortable you will feel during the game. You will also get more confident in choosing your plans and moves and will ultimately get better at playing the the opening

Step 4) Study the middlegames resulting from the opening

Once you have learned your opening well, it is time to study the position resulting from that opening. It is important to learn things such as the pawn structure, the plans, and some common themes in that middlegame, so that you know what to do. This doesn't have to be an extremely in-depth analysis of the position, but you should feel comfortable enough playing that middlegame.

Step 5) Practice in classical games against higher rated players

The best way to improve is always to play people better than you. If you play someone at your level or below, chances are, they might not know that line and will lose. If you play a stronger opponent, you will improve quicker are more effectively. 

Okay, I hope you all enjoyed my article on the openings. The next article in this series is going to be about general principles in the opening. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you have learned something!