openings for new players

I love the Vienna game but you shouldn't play it as a beginner, theres way too much theory involved in the main lines and accepting the gambit wont improve your ability at all because you'll just steamroll anyone who does that. also playing against higher rated players with the Vienna won't produce great results

Finally somebody says it! The Vienna Gambit is not a beginner-level opening. Later on, if you're like 1200 or higher, sure, give it a shot. It's rather complicated, though.

I'm just over 800 in rapid (I play 30 minute games) and I think at this level the best thing to do is stick to opening principals. Go for the centre, knights out and then bishops. 

From there games at this level often move into a four knights game and develop into the middle game from there. I don't think learning systems and gambits is a good thing for beginners and improvers until you get to say 1000. 

That's what I've learned in the past few weeks. Of course there's no harm in looking at one or two such systems but don't go too far into it. 

And don't make blunders, don't hang pieces and look out for checkmates. I just missed a checkmate on move 8 which is frustrating as the game went on for 40 or more moves. I did win, but seeing I missed that early mate stung me. 

^ yeah everything makes sense except for the Four Knights game. Please do not play the four knights game or your interest in chess will quickly fade

It's more a case of games naturally developing into it at this level rather than it being a conscious decision by both sides.  It's usually black in my experience that is the linch pin of the four knights.  I have had some interesting games develop from it. 

Other than that, at this level it's sometimes a wayward queen attack or just random pawn pushes. Occasionally I'll play someone who appears to be using a system, perhaps the London or Black Lion.  

Obviously you get the Scandinavian or Sicilian defence but usually only the first part of it, with most at this level having no real clue about the lines or theory. And I include myself in that. 

What would you recommend to avoid the four knights game? 

if you're playing white just know when to castle in the Italian and Spanish

Example:

Instead of this:

which is boring and stupid

Play this:

or this

if they play Giuoco Piano try this

and if you must play in a four knights as black try this

which forces white to make a decision

Great, I'll take those on board and try to spice things up a little. 

Duke, The four knights is considered a poor start, but if you find it fun. keep playing it. If you want a change I would recommend the Italian as my friend who is starting out has a grasp of it so it seems simple enough. You can build off it with the fried liver, Evans gambit, and a few others

bruh why are you recommending such a theoretical opening for a beginner

Most of the openings discussed in this forum are ranked in the following videos -Beginners Chess Opening TIER LIST with Hikaru and Levy - where they rate the openings relative to their appropriateness for beginners...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9CwH47r6og

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHsb7-LbC34

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3FBRlzSMHc

For each of the openings discussed in the (3-part) video above be sure to pay attention to whether they are referring to White or Black’s perspective. Also, they frequently refer to some openings as "garbage" or "bad", etc., but these qualifiers are used in the context of how appropriate or advisable they are for a beginner. For example, an opening they call "garbage" for a beginner may in fact be fine (e.g., "legendary") for a titled player.

The Chess GAMBITS Tier List ft. Hikaru Nakamura...(the list applies specifically to beginners)....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9N6Bo7BBPg

Introduction To The Vienna Game & Gambit...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/introduction-to-the-vienna-game-gambit

Vienna Gambit, Ruy Lopez as well if your friend likes strategic play.

+1 m’y friend @CcB77 I’ve been teaching him just opening principles such as get out your knights castle quickly etc.

guys, Vienna gambit is not a beginner opening!!

I used it as a 900. 

i did too but probably shouldn't have

the topic starter is learning his friend first the basics, so i think it is best to wait for a while until his friend has learned the basics, to learn how to control the center.

I was also to much focussing on a good opening move, but forget just the basic rules.

lesson one i learned is that chess is not a game of hugh steps, but step by step.

Vienna gambit can be used as a beginner. There isn't really anything complicated, except that the king might be a bit weakened, but that can be easily fixed

main line is extremely complicated

there's three different moves after this with numerous lines and branches

I'm not sure about that. But that doesn't matter, beginners won't play that, they'll take the pawn, because that's what beginners do