Best openings for newbies to study??

let me have 'em.. a little description as to why a particular opening should be studied would be great

Honestly, I wouldn't study the openings too much in terms of memorising lines. The chances of you and your opponent following an opening 15 moves in is quite remote. I would look into the main ideas behind the different openings and maybe the first few moves, but I'd focus more on chess opening principles - get your pieces developed, control the center, keep your pieces safe, keep your pieces active, etc. Openings won't win you a game - proper chess playing wins you the game. You'll get more from developing your thought processes in the opening:

-What did my opponent's last move do? What lines are now open for him? What squares are no longer safe (attackers vs defenders)? If my opponent could make a free move, what would he do?  How can I meet the threats he created? What squares are unsafe for my opponent? What lines do I have open? What threats can I create for him? What pieces of mine are inactive? What move is the best way to meet all of these issues I'm thinking about?

Now, as for learning some basic ideas behind some of the openings, check out www.thechesswebsite.com for some introductory videos.

As White, the Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4) teaches you the principles of quick piece development and has plenty of opportunities to teach you cheap tactical tricks, basic attacking principles, etc. Of course, Black has to oblige you with the first two moves, but a lot of people will. As Black, respond to e4 with e5 and d4 with d5. From there, just figure it out. Far more important than learning concrete lines at this point is figuring out what you're doing when you open a chess game.

I agree with both posts. The Italian game is a good solid opening. Further, I think a lot of players new to the game get too absorbed in learning openings and neglect more helpful general principals.

I agree with the posts above me. FYI:

CHESS OPENING PRINCIPLES by SIX FAMOUS GRANDMASTERS

Lasker's rules for the opening (from Common Sense In Chess)

1. Do not move any pawns in the opening of a game but the King and Queen pawns.

2. Do not move any piece twice in the opening, but put it at once on the right square.

3. Bring out your knights before developing your bishops, especially the Queen's Bishop.

4. Do not pin the adverse King Knight (ie. by Bg5) before your opponent has castled

GM Reuben Fine on the opening:

1. In the initial position White, because of the extra move, has a slight advantage. Consequently:

2. White's problem in the opening is to secure the better position, while...

3. Black's problem is to secure equality.

Fine's rules for the opening

1. Open with either the e-pawn or the d-pawn.

2. Wherever possible, make a good developing move which threatens something or adds to the pressure on the centre.

3. Develop knights before bishops.

4. Pick the most suitable square for a piece and develop it there once and for all.

5. Make one or two pawn moves in the opening, not more.

6. Do not bring your queen out too early. 7. Castle as soon as possible, preferably on the king's side.

8. Play to get control of the centre. 9. Always try to maintain at least one pawn in the centre.

10. Do not sacrifice without a clear and adequate reason, eg.:

* it secures a tangible advantage in development * it deflects the opponent's queen

* it prevents the opponent from castling * it enables a strong attack to be developed

Fine's two last questions to be asked before a move is made:

* How does it affect the centre? * How does it fit in with the development of my other pieces and pawns?

Nimzovitch's Seven Axioms (from My System)

* Development is to be understood as the strategic advance of the troops toward the frontier line (the line between the fourth and fifth ranks).

* A pawn move must not in itself be regarded as a devloping move, but merely as an aid to development.

* To be ahead in development is the ideal to be aimed for.

* Exchange with resulting gain of tempo.

* Liquidation, with consequent development or disembarrassment.

* The pawn centre must be mobile.

* There is no time for pawn hunting in the opening, except for centre pawns.

Suetin's four principles for advanced players

* The fight for control of the centre * The striving for the quickest and most active development.

* The creation of conditions that permit early castling.

* The formation of an advantageous pawn structure

GM Hort's 13 rules for all players

* Take advantage of every tempo. * Develop flexibly!

* Do not make pawn moves without careful planning.

* Begin the game with a centre pawn, and develop the minor pieces so that they influence the centre.

* Develop harmoniously! Play with all your pieces

* Do not make aimless moves. Each move must be part of a definite plan.

* Do not be eager for material gain. The fight for time is much more important than the fight for material, especially in open positions.

* A weakening of your own pawns may be accepted only if it is compensated by a more active placement of your pieces.

* With the help of your pawns, try to get an advantage in space and weaken your opponent's pawn position.

* Do not obstruct your pawns by grouping your pieces directly in front of them; pawns and pieces must work together.

* During the first few moves, pay special attention to the vulnerable KB2 square on both sides.

* Remember that the poor placement of even a single piece may destroy the coordination of the other pieces.

* With White, exploit the advantage of having the first move and try to gain the initiative. With Black, try to organize counterplay.

GM Portisch on forming a repertoire:

"Your only task in the opening is to reach a playable middlegame."

SOURCE: http://exeterchessclub.org.uk/content/ten-rules-opening