Best opening for a new player

e4

i'd say that this thread has become next to useless for someone new who actually was looking for simple advice

Against 1.e4, you could try the Sicilian Najdorf Poisoned Pawn variation.  Against 1.d4, probably the Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav Botvinnik or if white plays 5.e3 the Meran variation.

I think , first u play d4 to understand strategic game ...

After that e4 but i think Ruy lopez

I think the only way to make up your mind about which openings are best for you is simply play as much of them as you can.

Pick one opening at a time, read something about it (eg., on en.wikipedia.org or www.eudesign.com/chessops), use an opening explorer (but make sure you UNDERSTAND the ideas behind each move) and simply play it against a strong opponent (weaker ones tend to go out of the book too early, leaving you baffled about the best continuation).

Of course you'll find some openings more difficult to understand than others or not suited for your taste (too defensive, too aggressive, etc.); well, simply skip them for the moment and try something else!

This way I think you'll build your opening repertoire step by step and knowingly.

i agree,e4 offers different types of game.

Just stick with e4.  if you see someone use something that you like, check it out, maybe ask for advice.  For black against e4 and d4 i would suggest c6 because it works for both of them and gives you less to learn.

re: Comments From . . .

*1) NORTHSEA: "I can't agree you.Ruy Lopez is a difficult opening with both colors,but most of begginers try it out,tough.Much easier is Scotch Game where White is comfortable in most of variations,even in gambit lines.

**2a) AMAC7079: "i'd say that this thread has become next to useless for someone new who actually was looking for simple advice"

**2b) mathiassmall: "Could we get an NM in here, or someone to just offer how they started out? As compared to taking advice from people who maybe can't even achieve a decent rating in an inflated, online system."
"I'm with amac7079 in saying that this thread has become a disaster waiting to happen for any new player looking for serious (good) advice."

***3) mathiassmall: "Are people seriously suggesting the complications of the Reti Gambit for a beginner?! Do you play that yourself? Or are we just suggesting random openings that we consider to be "solid" (notably in the hands of experienced, possibly professional players)?"

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>+<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

*Northsea, I agree WT can certainly be comfortable in the Scotch; ESPECIALLY in the gambit lines since he may get some winning chances. My own favorite one is a Danish to Goring transposition by Frank Marshall's move order thru the Center -Game by "2.d4 exd4 3.Nf3" with advantages over 3.c3 . But tho the mainline Scotch may be a bit tricky in the lines vs ...Qh4 or ...Bc5 & ...Qf6, & pretty straightforward in others; my main objection has been that all these tend to no more than equality for WT. And as cited by GM Larry Evans Scotch monogram, a tendency toward Draws. 

Conversely, in one three year study of Chess Life games the Ruy Lopez scored 79% wins for WT among decisive published games, leaving 21% for Black. {The # of unpublished Draws is not known, unfortunately}. Where we disagree is that I feel the WT side of the Ruy is quite thematic & understandable after study of the games by Fischer, Tal & Bronstein as WT, + seeing Gligorich & Keres for some key ideas to Black. Last year I traded my Anti-Marshall line from using 8.h3 of Bronstein to try out the 8.a4!? line awhile, & have found it quite interesting.  # # # # # # # # #

** AMAC7079 & MITHIASmall: I don't see where it asks for "Simple Advice", but rather what opening(s) to try. Just a reminder ... after the evaluations {astute or otherwise} of others' contributions here, it seems you both forgot to put your own opening recommendations.  Alas we await; we Crave that epiphany, Please~! And of course any Other "Serious-Good" advice you must have, perhaps . . . forgotten? 

Per you Question: When I started to learn openings I used 1.e4 or the Reti via 1.Nf3, the Dragon Sicilian, and the King's Indian, but would not recommend that much diversity of position types & strategies involved to someone just trying to understand one right now. 

*** MITHIAMALL: No, apparently no one was suggesting a "complicated" Reti Gambit ... WT controling the matter. And as long as a beginner can remember to play Qxc4 after the Qa4+, the complexity of the two-mover should not be over-whelming to most beginners, imo . 

I notice THREE Openings mentioned in this thread that were associated with the word "SOLID". Those were: the Caro-Kann, Slav Defense, Stonewall Attack, & the Reti opening. Which of these are you saying is NOT a "SOLID" opening? I don't really see which of these requires "Professional" expertise to play. I played them all before turning professional Chess player.

I use the Colle system as WT and am very happy with it.  It is easy to understand, and use.  I play here and in my local club, and also national tournments.  I have had much success against much higher rated players.  For BK i use the French.  For what it is worth.

e4

The Italian game is a good one for beginners, it was the first opening I learned.

Whatever openings you choose, I would suggest learning one for white and two for black. One as a defence against e4 as black and another as a defence against d4 as black. Learn these openings well untill your game improves. I think it is better to learn a few openings well than to try and memorize all the theory of many different openings. You can always try out and add more openings as your playing improves.

Mithiasmall ... I hardly consider the openings I suggested as being my own favorites, having been an openings specialist. I consider them dull means by which one can easily live long enough to learn some skills that apply throughout the game. Useful if someone were actually trying to do well in a coming event.

We must know a different Reti gambit as mine involves ...dxc4 and Qc2. Do you possibly mean vs ....d4 where coupled with ....c5? a reversed Benko can ensue ... and crush black very violently with the extra tempo?

***

Many transpositions?? You speak of Every opening then. (In fact, such is the grist of SM thru GM play. Seeking transpositions favorable, not moves. Granted a difficult matter, but always inherent. A beginner will lack this ability in Any opening. A GM won't.)  Perhaps a new plan if there is such a thing. btw how do you play your Italian game vs a Sicilian then or ...d5 for that matter? Suppose your Italian transposes to a Goring gambit, is it then simple for a beginner? Thanks for suggesting Something tho. A fine choice if one does want to start with Classical Chess.

You missed the part entirely where I suggested ones Goal in an opening is paramount in selection. Mine survive and teach a couple basic position types without the enevitable pawns losses and mating attacks a beginniner blunders into in a classical open game.Tho I suggest before, that is a fine place to start IF their goal is to learn the most thru errors, and immediate results of no consequence. However, this player suggested they have tried many things and make more errors with each. Suggesting they were not learning from many errors.

Consequently, reducing the number and type of errors available should be paramount. Especially since they cannot be learning endgame skills in a reasonable position nor how to play a middle game with advantage. My first suggestion, the KIA is excellent for this reason. It is simpler even than your Italian since it can teach maintaining a strong point. The very first Center skill of all. And can go on to teach wing attack at the same time, which is a simpler winning skill to master first than even reasonable center control in open games.   

As far as the Slav, you should love it if you are suggesting d4 d5 like the others. Again it is good for reducing the number of considerations for a beginner. Plus giving them an advantage that the main threat is death thru cramping if they misplay. And opponents at their level will not know HOW to win by binding. Nor even forcible line opening technique.

Of course, they Should play open games in skittles then, certainly, and do everything possible to improve their tactical abilities ...but not in games important to them.

IMO

The two most important things a beginner needs to do is 1) Learn and, 2) Continue to play.

If the novice has the constitution to survive losses to better players then he

ought to be confronting his weaknesses, such as losing material in open positions,

and picking up the lessons he simply must have to compete with his peers who

are serious enough about the game to hazard some pain of losing in order to

get better at chess.

If the novice finds himself facing a game that is important to him then I guess

he should play it close to the vest. I hope the vast majority of his games are

not so important, for the sake of his chess. It's a bizarre notion that the

beginner should avoid the kinds of positions that are troubling him. He should

be confronting energetically just those positions--if he seeks to be a better

chess player. To paraphrase ericmittens: Play the open games until you've

answered your own questions.

I've never heard of anyone lamenting the time they spent on open games, how

it hurt their growth. Just the opposite in fact.

I recommend using the french opening.

It may not seem very reliable at first, but it gives you valuable practice for later games.

As promotedpawn said, use the queen's gambit or the gruenfeld...they're both pretty good openers.

GOLDENDOG ... you said "It's a bizarre notion that the beginner should avoid the kinds of positions that are troubling him."

You are in the last round of a Championship at your club, tied for first with the player you face. So you say to play your Worst opening so as to learn the most? :) I think That is more bizarre!

You play your best when it counts. And you play your best until you understand IT, rather than looking for other ways to lose. No?

Really i agree with your premise, ONCE you have the fundamentals down. THEN always seek the best competition and sharpest openings you Can Handle, in order to improve. I always did and it served well. But at the same time feeling you have come from a melee where you understood nothing (like I feel if I play the Kurjatko Gambit!! :) is hardly Learning !? My premise is you must learn to play the pieces well first. So keep pawn matters simple awhile.

I like the French too, SSNYDER. I played it from being about 1500 up to 2450 performances with it. I like it for much the same reasons as the Caro, mentioned. The only thing I see troublesome there for a beginner is if they went into the Winawer PP variation; quite tactical and subject to change. And some of the Nc3 lines without e5 played by WT may throw them. Tho they are very interesting and usually favor a well booked black. I had a draw with NM/CCM Randy Bauer/Iowa Postal Championship in the Bd2 line, despite Watsons assurances BL is better. (A...Bauer improved and B...guess I am not Watson :) And a win vs Eric Schiller in APCT. So black certainly has not to fear even in those, if he is up on things. (What he Does have to fear is a certain one or perhaps two variation by WT that usually favors BL slightly but us highly drawish, even vs good black players. Perhaps you've found this too...?) 

I clearly said that if you are playing a game that is important to you then

go ahead and play it close to the vest. That covers your hypothetical. Never

did I say one must play their "worst opening" in order to learn the most in such

situations. Your words, placed in my my mouth...tsk...that won't work.

try center pawns and knights first

It is obvious that some who have responded to this question are very knowledgeable and well versed in the game of chess. A suggestion was made that the French is a good opening. The response to this, I find funny and entertaining to read:

"The only thing I see troublesome there for a beginner is if they went into the  Winawer PP variation; quite tactical and subject to change. And some of the Nc3 lines without e5 played by WT may throw them."

 I am no GM but I certainly qualify and have earned my title as a beginner! As a beginner reading this 'quote' for some guidance, I can say that it fails miserably in helping me, the beginner. You see, I have no clue what a Winawer PP variation is nor do I understand how/why Nc3 lines without e5 by WT would cause me problems. I wouldn't even know if I was headed in that direction much less suffer the consequences of being "thrown" by the error of my ways!! LOL

I find more entertainment value than 'beginner' guidance in this kind of chest thumping. Thanks to all who tried to help a beginner (me), some succeeded some didn't; I did learn a good response to the question, "Why do you like to read chess books?"

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