A Few Chess Openings

What does the Queen's Gambit look like?

What does the Nimzo look like? ***

What does the Sicilian look like?***

(***How does it help you later in th game?)

http://www.chess.com/openings/

I am relatively new to studying chess, and I must say "Modern Chess Openings" by Nick de Firmian has been a very informative read.  I will probably reference this book for the rest of my existence and I doubt I will ever remember everything in it, thus it will always be of interest.  

(a note to Mr. de Firmian, please feel free to send me a check for the above written endorsement) 

Queen's Gambit:  1. d4 d5 c4

Nimzo-Indian Defence:  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4

The Sicilian Defence:  1. e4 c5 [2. Nf3 d6]

The Queen's Gambit is a very popular opening amongst the master chess society and can often lead to slightly symmetrical and draw[ish] positions.  It's a commonly declined gambit in the world of pawn sacrafices.

The Nimzo-Indian Defence is a sharp response to 1. d4 for black which despite evolving from the Indian Game does not involve the fianchetto of a bishop on the kingside.

Last but not least is The Sicilian Defence.  The Sicilian comes in many shapes and forms.  It is frequently recognized as the sharpest opening response to e4.  It is quite complex for the new player, because there's at least 6 or 7 solid variations for black to continue through.  The opening d4 has only a 1 or 2 percent win advantage to e4 because of The Sicilian.  Almost always somewhere in The Sicilian 2. d6 or later on in the game is a good follow up.

I would encourage you to look briefly at all these openings, but not in-depth if such an approach is avoidable.  Tactics are the best thing a chess player can study.