Beginning Players and Openings

I am a beginner player and enjoy studying tactics and strategies of chess openings, mid- and end games. 

My question pertains to beginning chess players and openings.  Opening strategies have a pre-determined series of moves that set the stage for the mid-game.  I find it a bit frustrating that, when playing fellow beginner opponents, despite executing the 'correct' opening moves, most beginners rarely respond with any pre-determined opening defense.  Consequently, by the midgame, pieces are haphazardly positioned on the board and there's little tactical or strategic logic or reason to the game.  Many beginners seem to move pieces around the board in an ill-planned attempt to gain material advantage without strategic consideration. 

What is the best way to deal with this issue, while still improving my tactics and strategy as a beginner? 

Thank you very much for any advice from more experienced players than myself.

Well what openings do you play?  The reason theory becomes established is because these are the "best" moves or greater chances for an advantage.  Chances are if a begginner is playing out of the book quickly there is a way to exploit his move (with a move that either tactically wins material or wins positional gains.)

Well, if his pieces are haphazardly positioned by the middlegame, that's fine.

If you are saying both of your pieces are, then obviously, all you have done is memorize book moves - that don't have relevance in those positions.

Another caveat to the "why bother to learn openings until 2000 Elo."

I never bothered to learn openings.  Right now my rating oscillates around 1800 on chess.com and only recently I started to look into them.

As White, I simply always played e4, followed by trying to get out my pieces out as fast as possible.  Worked liked a charm for a long time.  As Black I'd simply reply e5, and try to get my pieces out as well.

That's all you really need when you are a beginner.  Only more advanced players will be able to seriously exploit any subtle mistakes you make in your opening.

For beginners, studying tactics is the best way to bring up their rating quickly.

Golden_Poppy wrote:

I am a beginner player and enjoy studying tactics and strategies of chess openings, mid- and end games. 

My question pertains to beginning chess players and openings.  Opening strategies have a pre-determined series of moves that set the stage for the mid-game.  I find it a bit frustrating that, when playing fellow beginner opponents, despite executing the 'correct' opening moves, most beginners rarely respond with any pre-determined opening defense.  Consequently, by the midgame, pieces are haphazardly positioned on the board and there's little tactical or strategic logic or reason to the game.  Many beginners seem to move pieces around the board in an ill-planned attempt to gain material advantage without strategic consideration. 

What is the best way to deal with this issue, while still improving my tactics and strategy as a beginner? 

Thank you very much for any advice from more experienced players than myself.

Focus on picking apart their weakness then. Do you understand *why* their moves are weak and yours are strong? Try playing the game over from their point of view, and see if you could still salvage the the position after such a disorganized opening. Masters can give piece handicaps because they're so solid in middle and endgame, that they can play as if they'd blundered a piece in a poor opening.

Part of knowing correct opening play is also knowing how to punish your opponent for early, unsound deviations.

These deviations may not necessarily lead to a win of material but usually amount to small positional edges for the other player.

Knowing HOW to take take advantage of these small edges is part of being a good chess player.  Sometimes even taking the exchange is not enough, the player must then have the ability to convert that advantage into a win.

Thanks to everybody for all of your helpful comments.  I'm getting a sense of how I can improve my game - perhaps I've been putting the proverbial cart before the horse with my focus on the 'perfect opening' as a beginner.  Instead, I'll shift to improving tactics and strategies and when I improve significantly, I'll incorporate opening strategies.  My favorite openings to date, as black are Nimzo Indian, Benoni, and Sicilian Dragon.  Thanks again for your insightful comments!  Peedee wrote:

Part of knowing correct opening play is also knowing how to punish your opponent for early, unsound deviations.

These deviations may not necessarily lead to a win of material but usually amount to small positional edges for the other player.

Knowing HOW to take take advantage of these small edges is part of being a good chess player.  Sometimes even taking the exchange is not enough, the player must then have the ability to convert that advantage into a win.

you need to cheack why or are he playing a fork and stuff and dont give away queens like this!!!

http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=8195064