Questions...

I am what most people would term a beginning chess player... My rating generally blows, I don't know ANY real opening strategies (other than picking techniques up by playing), have really only read two chess books (Fisher's endgames, and 'Reassess Your Chess' by some author that was fantastic, but I can't remember).

I have played off and on for years, but have only recently begun playing more than occassionally, due to this wonderful website (which I will pay for someday).

Most of the time, I play... well, casually.  Often that means that I throw out a few pieces in the first game against someone, not really trying to win, just feeling them out.  My next game I usually get more serious, pay more attention, etc.  This is one of those second games where I got much more serious.

Now, the play I didn't comment on (mostly because I couldn't figure out how to advance the game without modifying it), but my basic questions are as follows:

1) Is my opening actually a 'documented' opening, and if so, where can I find more info about it?

2) I realize that I won, and I think I played an excellent game... This is not typical for me, so I mean no arrogance.  My first game against this individual was a blunderfest that I actually won by accident. What mistakes did I make in this game?  (I believe it would help me more to see the mistakes in a good game than to analyze one of my poor ones... even I can see my mistakes there).

3) Based on the play that you see here (as well as any of my other games you would wish to browse), what books and resources would you recommend to improve my play?  As a qualification, I am more interested in understanding good chess than I am in memorizing book moves by rote.

In advance, I want to thank anyone that is willing to help.

1) Use the Game Explorer (Under Learn => Openings). It's great. It is not cheating to use the Game Explorer to enter your moves and your opponent's moves to see which responses yield the best win/loss/draw percentages during the game. After the game, you can enter the moves in and it will tell you the name of the opening.

Your opening in this was the Scandinavian Defense. However, you went out of book on the second move.

2) Here's my analysis. (From another player who's rating also generally blows.

3) See my final comment in the diagram. =)

EDIT: You should also try using computer analysis. It'll point out your mistakes much better than me. :D

I did try computer analasis before, here... My problem was that everytime I felt I did something right, it griped.. and everytime I thought I was doing poorly or on the ropes, it told me I was doing great.

Not sure if it just wasn't understanding my choicve of plays, or if my head was really that screwed up about chess tactics... will try it for this game, though.

And thank you for your insight!  Youare absolutely correct... I do tend to miss those mates.

As for why I didnt immediately grab the queen, it was because as trapped as his king was, I figured I could always snag her after that... I didnt see any good way for her to escape... so I grabbed the rook instead, and saved her for a bit later.

I must agree, tactics trainer will probably help... I should also look back through Bobby Fischer's book.  Daily Puzzle hasn't really helped me that much, honestly.  It seems they are either too easy (like Sundays) or I dont understand why the did what they did instead of something else completely.  I have asked several times for clarification on the Daily Puzzle forums... but I hate to be a pestering n00b.

OK, then, sending this one off to the computer analasis, and will post its results as well.  Think it may be about time for me to actually pay for the site to get better tactics training as well.

Yeah - If you upgrade to Diamond there's a great thing called Chess Mentor. You'll definitely see massive improvements in your game if you use that. (Or that's what they say ;D But really, it WILL help.)

I'm glad to be of assistance. :) Unfortunately, I can't recommend any books as I haven't read any chess books :(

Chess Mentor Rocks.  It has been a big help.