tips on what to learn first

Here you will find my detailed recommendations:

https://www.chess.com/blog/nklristic/the-beginners-tale-first-steps-to-chess-improvement

Have fun. 

Hi. I started a couple days ago and I am by no means an expert but from lurking the forums here I've picked up a few things.

1. Learn a couple openings. Don't dive inte the theory, just start with the basic opening moves.

2. Learn a handful strategies. "Skewer" etc.

3. Control the middle and develop your pieces.

I would recommend the italian opening. It's easy and strong. Sets you off well.

https://www.chess.com/openings/Italian-Game

Also. Check this link: https://www.chess.com/openings

Many great opening for you to study.

Again. I'm far from good but this is what I've picked up. 

• The rules.
• How to win King & Queen vs King; King & Rook vs King.
• Principles of the opening e.g. https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-principles-of-the-opening
• Tactics: https://www.chesstactics.org/

Welcome to the game. You would first study the movements of each individual piece, of course!

Actually, I slightly disagree. I would recommend the OP to have fun playing the game and experimenting around first to have a basic feel of the how pieces work and how the game can go from the starting position (we do not teach toddlers to run when they have yet to walk, correct?).

After that, basic endgames, simple 1- or 2- mover tactics and simple openings would be on the cards for the OP for a few days or weeks.

As with learning anything.  You start with the basics.

Opening Principles:

1. Control the center squares – d4-e4-d5-e5.
2. Develop your minor pieces toward the center – piece activity is the key. Centralized piece control more squares.
3. (King Safety)
4. Connect your rooks. There should be no pieces between your Rooks.

The objective of development is about improving the value of your pieces by increasing the importance of their roles (Piece Activity).  Well-developed pieces have more fire-power than undeveloped pieces and they do more in helping you gain control.

Now we will look at 5 practical things you can do to help you achieve your development objective.

They are:

1. Give priority to your least active pieces.

• Which piece needs to be developed (which piece is the least active)?
• Where should it go (where can its role be maximized)?

2. Exchange your least active pieces for your opponent’s active pieces.
3. Restrict the development of your opponent’s pieces.
4. Neutralize your opponent’s best piece.
5. Secure strong squares for your pieces.

Don’t help your opponent develop.

There are 2 common mistakes whereby you will simply be helping your opponent to develop:

1. Making a weak threat that can easily be blocked
2. Making an exchange that helps your opponent to develop a piece

Pre Move Checklist

1. Make sure all your pieces are safe.
2. Look for forcing move: Checks, captures, threats. You want to look at ALL forcing moves (even the bad ones) this will force you look at, and see the entire board.
3. If there are no forcing moves, you then want to remove any of your opponent’s pieces from your side of the board.
4. If your opponent doesn’t have any of his pieces on your side of the board, then you want to improve the position of your least active piece.

The biggest thing is to slow down and pay attention to the board. Don't let them just take your pieces for free. Then start focusing on where you think your pieces should go, (and on the reverse note where your opponent wants their stuff too.) So if you attack their piece, are you just letting them go to a better square? Play slower time controls and see how you are getting outplayed, where stuff seems to be the most effective, etc. 

Also, learn how to ask for help. Post games you lost and put down your thoughts, look for input on those specific games, etc. See how those ideas can be applied to your typical play.