My second traxler game, mate in 8 moves 100% accuracy, I am stopping classical chess

I played the traxler for the second time. 

My opponent missed the obvious mate in 1 and I won on move 8 with 100% accuracy

https://www.chess.com/game/daily/397195245

The issue I have is that it illustrates an problem I have in classical chess since I started to play game. Namely opening is mostly about memorizing. 

Learning the opening, developing a repertoire, I understand that it makes sense to progress but when starting to play I did not realize that memorization was such a huge part of classical chess. I came to the game thinking it was mostly strategy/planning but as you progress book knowledge become more and more important.

This game is a good illustration, I win but I do not feel that I played really. I had knowledge over one line that my opponent did not have, as I do not plane to invest time learning more line, continuing on this path make no real sense. 

So to avoid the opening trap, I am switching to Chess 960, the player base is smaller, but it really feel like playing chess. 

Each game is new, you have to think hard from move 1 and never stop.  Pure skill and no data memorizing. 

Fair enough. Exact reason why 960 is as popular as it is. I enjoy it as well  

I found it strange that it is not more popular. 

It is a better measure of your skill at chess than classical chess IMO. 

I mean seriously when you look a GM analyzing a match on youtube, the match often "start" at move 14 or 15.