Looking for beginner openings, explained.

Recently, I've been using the beginner "Study Plans" to help me plan out my practice schedule.  I explored the openings section and found some useful diagrams concerning the six basic openings: 

The Ruy Lopez or Spanish Game

The Giuoco Piano or Italian Game

The Four Knights Opening

The Two Knights or "Fried Liver"

The Queen's Gambit Accepted

The Queen's Gambit Declined The Queen's Gambit Declined -- Slav and/or Semi-Slav

Although it was useful to know what they look like, I would like to understand the concept behind the moves.  A good example of this is the diagram at the bottom of the The Principles of the Opening -- for Beginners! article.  It explains the Roy Lopez to the extent that I can understand why the moves were played and how to take advantage of blunders made by my opponent, as well as avoid making them myself.

Basically, I'm looking for diagrams similar to the one above: annotated and explained for the beginner.  If they already exist, I would love a point in the right direction, or if you're willing to make one, that would be amazing.  Big thanks to those willing to help out, it really is appreciated!

I will give you the advice IMpfren gave me recently. He said that until you understand the fundamentals just like the principles with the above diagram, you really shouldnt bother too much studying a particular opening too much. Those principles are all you need at the moment to keep playing over and over. In 25 yrs im only really starting to get heavily involved with remembering theory. thats not to say you have to wait that long yourself. But the basic principles of general solid moves of what to do, and just as important what not to do should keep you going to be competitive. If you are a good tactician and strategist you can win your way up to 1400 to 1500 without a particular opening. Im new to this site and havnt played for 5 yrs so anyone looking at my profile yeah im crap at the moment but i have previously got to 1500 without having a particular opening. He also said study the principles of the ruy and guicco, they will give good insight.

Hey Im from Adelaide! I grew up there. havent lived there for 12 yrs but go back to see mum occasionally.

Thanks a lot, I will focus on the principle more than the memorization.  I am still looking for resources on opennings, however.  Thanks BorgQueen for the book advice, by the way.

His last example was just an illustrative opening used to reinforce his points.  Not all openings would have worked as well as that.

The book BQ mentions is good as it has explanations along the same lines as in that article but for every move in every game covered.  So if you like that kind of explanation that book is definitely for you.  Others like it include "Understanding Chess Move by Move" by Nunn

If you want something opening specific, Seriwan's Winning Chess series has an opening themed book.  I liked his tactics and endings books, and they get good reviews, so I assume Openings is good also.  For beginners, lots of good explanations.

That would sate your appetite for chess opening info, but again hijak's comment was good.  I'd get some more games under my belt practicing those opening principals and maybe view some GM games on chessgames.com.  Post some games here with questions and people often answer.

Asking for an opening explained to really too broad esp. when Danny did such a great piece already on the subject.

Oh, and I also have never studied an opening in depth, and really don't know my openings that well.  I go off of moves I've seen from strong player's games that I've played through and of course the basic principals.

Hello:

I am not an opening expert, but I have been in the same seat as you are now. I will try to help you understand the Italian and the Spanish.

The Italian

The Italian is one of the oldest and the most direct opening that follows the good opening principles very closely. So I will start with the Italian first.

The Spanish

The Spanish is a bit more complex than the Italian. You may think of it as a further development from the Italian (although some people may disagree with me on this).

Btw, if you understand the idea behind the Spanish and the Italian, you should be able to play the Four Knights and the Two Knights openings. 

The Queen Gambit is a bit more complicated to explain. There is a number positional concepts behind the moves, and they are not so obvious. I think it is better to familiarize yourself with the e4 openings, then positional play, before moving to the Queen Gambit.

Thanks for the excellent suggestions guys.  I'll definately review the books, wafflemaster, as well as take a look at some master games.  Thanks for the diagrams as well, they helped a lot in understanding the reason for those moves.  I guess I'll begin posting my games, because even when I review them they reveal some serious room for improvement.  Any suggestions on where to post them?  Any specific feeds worth considering?

I am in the same boat as you.  I am not looking for countless variations to memorize, rather a couple of openings explained in terms of their main ideas.  I have found several good articles on exeterchessclub.org.uk.  I found this beginners guide to the Italian very helpful http://exeterchessclub.org.uk/content/italian-game-beginners.

One thing i believe is important is not to get helmetburn.

You need to focus on one opening at a time (and forget about points). As white, you should pick one opening and stick with it no matter what. Some times you might end up squeezing the square into the circle hole or in other words, use a terrible opening against blacks response.. But it is from loosing you learn.

Pretty soon you will know all the ins, outs and what-have-yous of your opening. If you get raped by black, double the learning and get to know how to beat your opening when you are black.

First have your focus on the first 10 moves to be perfect since the +10 moves are useless if the first 10 stinks. You might be even, but have terrible position.