In my opinion, the best opening for a beginner/amaterur to play against 1.e4 as Black is 1...c4, and against 1.d4 as Black is the Nimzo Indian (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6).
As White, try learning the Queen's Gambit (1.d4, followed in varying order by c4, Nc3, Nf3, and e3), as Black cannot effectively play the sicilian against it.
lance, at lunch today, I finished up the chapter and exercises on back rank mate and well into the chapter on overloaded pieces and deflection in Seirawan's tactics book. Then I went on chess.com and solved the tactics puzzle first try, 10 seconds. That never happens to me! Coincidence. It was easy today. Even for me. Thanks again.
I'm still interested in people's take on the Indian's and Pirc, as distinct from the other openings. Or your take on my impression of the openings in the topical categries I posted above.