Absolute new player looking to improve

Hey chess.com,

Up to about a few weeks ago, I was an absolute newbie at chess. I knew how the pieces were set up and how they could move around, but that was about it for strategy and tactics.

Recently, though, I started playing blitz chess with a group of friends and I found it extremely enjoyable. I'm holding my own against them, for the most part, but I almost always have to fight back from an earlier deficit because I don't know my way around openings (or midgame or endgame, but it's especially bad in the first third of the game).

In order to try and improve my game, I play almost every day as well as solving puzzles in my spare time. However, whenever I attempt to start studying openings and defenses, I am intimidated by the almost infinite variations there are. So my question is where do I start? Are there any good books I should buy? Is there a specific opening that is relatively easy to learn/teaches me the game better? Similarly, is there a specific defense for black that would do the same? Thanks in advance for the help

Hi there checkout Jrobichess video's on youtube.

One piece of advice for opening study- don't memorize moves, because then, after your opponent goes out of book, you won't know what to do.  Memorize common plans and ideas for the positions, and basic opening principles (Develop pieces to good squares, control the center, get the king to safety).

I'm no expert on opening books, though, so I really haven't a clue there- sorry.