Best opening for begginers as White in my opinion

No

I am deciding between 1. c4 or Nf3 just to avoid the Sicilians, French and Caro-Kann but mainly to cut out a lot theory as well.

This is a bad idea since these openings tend to transpose into a lot of other openings like d4 openings, and because of this you need working knowledge an a ton of openings, plus these openings have constantly evolving theory while the e4 complex not as much, I'd recommend not going for this approach as it defeats the whole reason you went for them. You can't play these as systematic openings if you are trying to get an advantage with white.

You won't be avoiding learning more theory by starting off the game with 1.c4 or 1.Nf3. You will still have to plan for every 1.d4 style opening (KID, Grunfeld, Slav, Semi-Slav, Old Indian, Tarrasch, etc) and devise a plan on how to play against it. You can't count on playing the same type of positions against a variety of setups that black can employ. If anything, you are going to be learning more theory won't have the benefit of past experience of playing against the Sicilian, French and Caro-Kann.

I dont get the OP.

If you play 1. e4 then yes you may get 1... e5.

But you may also face 1... c5, 1... e6, 1... c6 and 1... d5. And less often exotic moves like 1... d6 or 1.... Nf6, too.

The Ruy Lopez is Advanced level opening.

The Scotch Gambit can lead to Max Lange Attack which is an Advanced level opening.

The Scotch is tricky opening.

The only openings I consider Beginner are Italian Game & 4 Knights.

I’m conflicted about the Scotch.

Apart of me thinks the position are more positional vs. tactical which makes me think the opening should be in the Intermediate level.

At the same time, the Scotch is fairly easy to play as a beginner so the line could be considered beginner friendly.

Yeah, I am conflicted.

AdhvaithAjay wrote: Makhulu905 wrote:

I am deciding between 1. c4 or Nf3 just to avoid the Sicilians, French and Caro-Kann but mainly to cut out a lot theory as well.

This is a bad idea since these openings tend to transpose into a lot of other openings like d4 openings, and because of this you need working knowledge an a ton of openings, plus these openings have constantly evolving theory while the e4 complex not as much, I'd recommend not going for this approach as it defeats the whole reason you went for them. You can't play these as systematic openings if you are trying to get an advantage with white.

I actually like being able to improvise and enjoy certain middle game positions.

As for openings and theory, I prefer to bypass all that and jump right into the middle or end game.

I am deciding between 1. c4 or Nf3 just to avoid the Sicilians, French and Caro-Kann but mainly to cut out a lot theory as well.

You won't be avoiding learning more theory by starting off the game with or 1.Nf3. You will still have to plan for every style opening (KID, Grunfeld, Slav, Semi-Slav, Old Indian, Tarrasch, etc) and devise a plan on how to play against it. You can't count on playing the same type of positions against a variety of setups that black can employ. If anything, you are going to be learning more theory won't have the benefit of past experience of playing against the Sicilian, French and Caro-Kann.

How much to theory does one know at 2000 or under?

@Post #10

At rating 2000, My average Theory knowledge is around 15 moves.

Some of my lines have less Theory if they are not very complicated.

Other lines have more Theory due to the lines being tactical or complicated.
For Example:

I have played the Sicilian Dragon.

Now to reach the Sicilian Dragon, you only need to know 5 moves.

BUT I use to play a line know as the Sicilian Dragon, Topalov Variation.

The Topalov Variation doesn’t start till move 13.

Then because the idea behind the Topalov Variation requires several moves in order to achieve the desired plan. I have to know the follow up moves to the line which is another several moves.

Before you know it, your 20 moves into a line.

I didn’t expect to be 20 moves into a line.

I didn’t wake up 1 day and was like Oh Goodness me, Let me know this line 20 moves deep.

I started off with only a few moves.

Then as I started facing stronger players.

I started having to know the line deeper and deeper and deeper.

Than before you know it you know a line so many moves in.

I didn’t plan it.

It just sort of happened and sometimes I forget.

I use to play Sicilian Dragon a lot and so all the moves and ideas stayed fresh in my mind.

As I changed lines to like Sicilian Najdorf, The Theory slow faded and sometimes I have moments where I might remember or completely forget due to line not being fresh in my mind as it use to be.

But yeah - It happened Theory of lines can be extremely deep due to the Caliber of Chess players playing the position.