Paramount Writing Principle #1: It must be clear and concise! 
The Three Paramount Opening Principles
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The 3 Principles as stated are from a book written in the late 1800s. When people took the time to digest the nuances of an important statement, for me this is part of their charm.
However for those who do not have time for such frivolities I will restate:
- Do not attack until you have completed your development
- During the opening do not move any piece more than once.
- Comply with principles 1 & 2 unless you have an opportunity to obtain a concrete and significant advantage.
The Three Paramount Opening Principles
Depending on the source there 5 to 12 must know opening principles. That is a lot to keep in mind while trying to start a game of chess. Furthermore most books or post on Opening Principles talk about how it is better to make moves that are not consistent with Opening Principles some of the time. For a new player this can all be a bit overwhelming.
As I study my games, looking at why I or the other guy lost, I have come to realize that for players below 1000 there are 3 Opening Principles that if followed can significantly increases your chance of winning.
While it is true that most low level games are lost due to a tactical error, often these errors are made under stress. More often than not this stress comes from mistakes made during the opening.
Paramount Opening Principle 1
A game may be termed well-commenced when the pieces are brought out so that no piece obstructs the action of another, and that each piece be so well planted that it cannot be attacked with impunity.
This Principle reminds us that the opening is about development, and that we should complete development without blocking our forces, and without placing our pieces so that they are vulnerable to attack
Paramount Opening Principle 2
An opening to be well constructed should be made quickly; consequently the same piece should not be moved twice until the other pieces are in play.
This Principle teaches us to develop are army completely, to put all of the pieces in play before attacking our adversary. The opening is about development, which should be done quickly, and not about launching an attack.
But how will we know when not too follow these Frist Two Opening Principles? That is what we learn from the final Opening Principle
Paramount Opening Principle 3
The exceptions to these rules are when a greater or at least an equal loss of time can be inflicted upon your adversary, also when an improper move on their part brings an important advantage within measurable distance.
This Principle is the key to learning when not to follow Opening Principles. For me gaining material or trapping the King in the center are important advantages, and thus reasons not to follow opening principles. Chess is all about recognizing the mistakes of your adversary and knowing how to take advantage of them. The types of mistakes you can recognize define how strong of a play you are.