I agree that e5 is the best for beginners.
And you hope the opponent enters a king's gambit for a great introduction to chess.
The Scandi (1..d5) works too.
The goal to progress toward familiarity with Sicilian lines (1...c5) should be high on the priority list.
I've been trying the French as a defense against e4 (very beginner, 550), but I only have a 33% win rate with it, and any bot over 1000 can hand me my butt. There seem to be too many lines and too many attacking options for white.
From my experience playing the French, I only face three main options: The Advance (3.e5), The Exchange (3.exd5), and 2.Nf3. I have a study that covers both the Advance and the Exchange here while against 2.Nf3, I play 2...c5 transposing to the Taimanov Sicilian. When you play your games, analyze them afterward with the study to see where you could have improved and a lot of times, you will get a good explanation for it.
I always play Petrov's defense (1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6) when I can. I like the resulting positions.
If you tend to play aggressively, the Polerio Italian, King's Gambit Accepted, and Exchange Ruy Lopez are probably the three I'd focus on first, as they're EXTREMELY common until you hit about 1100.
If you tend to play defensively, the Hanham and Nimzowitsch Philidor; Exchange and Advance French; and the Exchange, Four Pawns, and Lasker Alekhine's are good, simple openings to start out with.
The things to watch out for at the early levels are gambits and extremely aggressive play: Fried Liver (beaten by Polerio), King's Gambit (accept, watch for Villemson), Center Game (accept, if Danish, accept, if double Danish, accept, if triple Danish to threaten mate, accept and queen by taking the BISHOP, not the rook), Scotch Gambit (transpose to Italian Two Knights Open, if Perreux, Polerio theory should come in handy), Scotch Game (Malaniuk).
Good luck against e4!
Offer a draw.
e5 for beginners is solid but I would probably recommend the French Defe nse :)
I've been trying the French as a defense against e4 (very beginner, 550), but I only have a 33% win rate with it, and any bot over 1000 can hand me my butt. There seem to be too many lines and too many attacking options for white.