Just played my first Scotch Game (at least on purpose, I may have played it unknowingly earlier). Was fun and got me a win. Might give that one a closer look.
I played as white.
It goes:
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4
at this point it is the Scotch game and in this case it kept going as follows...
3. ...exd4
4. Nxd4 Nxd4
5. Qxd4 and at this point it is good for white already.
One point I have to make is: You can not "stick with the Italian" or almost any opening if your opponent doesn't allow it.
If your opponent uses the Petrov defense then it is the Russian game and not the Italian. It might transpose into the same positions later, but anyway... If your opponent goes with Caro-Kann, the French Defence or the Sicilian, well that ends your plans of playing the Italian game...
My point is that, most important for beginners (which I am myself) is to pay attention to what your opponent does and think about every move and your opponent's most likely responses, instead of just playing the same opening moves regardless of what the opponent does.
This, I think, is why opening principles are more important and helpful for beginners than getting into one single opening very deeply. That being said, I still think it will be beneficial to take a look at some of the most common openings so you know the first few moves. Then building on those first few moves as you encounter the openings in your games by analyzing the games afterwards.
I do think it is a bit weird that some people recommend sticking to one single opening, when that is clearly impossible when your opponent does not allow it. I would say it is better to know a little about all the most common openings and then building on those.
This is just my opinion though.
I will add that this does not hold true as strongly for system based openings like the London system, where you - in most cases - can and will play the same moves to create the pawn pyramid, place your bishops at f4 and d3 and king-knight on f3 etc, but even when playing the London, you still don't want to just automatically play those moves without paying any attention to your opponent.
One point I have to make is: You can not "stick with the Italian" or almost any opening if your opponent doesn't allow it.
...
My point is that, most important for beginners (which I am myself) is to pay attention to what your opponent does and think about every move and your opponent's most likely responses, instead of just playing the same opening moves regardless of what the opponent does.
This, I think, is why opening principles are more important and helpful for beginners than getting into one single opening very deeply. That being said, I still think it will be beneficial to take a look at some of the most common openings so you know the first few moves. Then building on those first few moves as you encounter the openings in your games by analyzing the games afterwards.
Yes, yes, yes!!
Search "Chess opening tier list for beginner" on youtube.
Introduction To The London System & Jobava London System...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/the-london-system
Introduction to The Italian Game & Evans Gambit...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/introduction-to-the-italian-game