Questions about openings.

New player here and the amount of openings and their names is overwhelming for me and seeing these I wonder the philosophy behind them.

For example:

Is the decision to play a specific opening purely a matter of preference?

Are Black's openings always based on White's opening?

Are some openings more aggressive than others?

And this last question, the most important for me. If this is ultimately a decision of preference, do you recommend me to look for one that I like and play only that one until I become more familiar with the game?

Welcome! Have fun!

Is the decision to play a specific opening purely a matter of preference? On the whole, yes. Especially as a beginner. But there are some openings that are objectively bad and there are some that are better for learning the game. I would definitely recommend you start by playing 1.e4 e5 openings with white and black.

Are Black's openings always based on White's opening? Both players need to take into account their opponent's moves. So even if you want to play a certain formation, your opponent's moves may not make it a good idea.

Are some openings more aggressive than others? Yes, generally speaking. But again, it also depends largely on the opponent's choice. Most openings can be played with both a cautious and an aggressive mindset.

Do you recommend me to look for one that I like and play only that one until I become more familiar with the game? Yes. That is the way to learn.

The opening is decided by both players, and both players must react accordingly.

Also, no matter what opening you choose, don't expect the same structure every time.

At your level, it is better to learn opening concepts. If you cannot explain every move in words, you shouldn't play it.

Take the French, for example.

1.e4 - Develop a central pawn.

1...e6 - Preparing to attack the unprotected e4-pawn, but if he takes me, I don't want to have to take with the Queen, so I need to play this first.

2.d4 - Black did nothing to stop this, so I occupy the center.

2...d5 - putting the question on e4. White must do one of 3 things to not lose it. Either advance it, which weakens the light squares for White since all his central pawns are now on dark squares, Exchange it, which opens up my Bishop, or protect it with a piece.

3.Nc3 - Gotta protect that e-pawn.

Now Black has a decision to make. If he does nothing, like 3...h6, White gets a free hand to do what he wants. So Black has 3 choices:

A) Take the e-pawn, and break up the central pawn mass for both players. That said, after 3...dxe4 4.Nxe4, you do centralize the White Knight.

B) Attack it again directly with 3...Nf6, really trying to get White to advance it to solidify the d5 pawn and play ...c5 without fear of a trade on d5 and a weak pawn with ...c6 no longer possible.

C) Attack it indirectly by pinning the Knight that is protecting it right now with 3...Bb4.

If you can explain the opening moves in words, it is probably a good choice. If not, then you should find another opening. Like in the Alekhine, many beginners don't understand why after 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5, Black doesn't go 2...Ne4 instead of 2...Nd5. I would never suggest the Alekhine to a beginner. NEVER!