Beginner advice

Hi All

So, I've been playing chess since I was a kid but never ever bothered to take it seriously - In other words, I'm not good at all. 

After the watching the recent candidates tournament, I've decided to give it a proper go. 

Where do I begin if I want to sharpen my skills? Or just take it to the next level. 

Do I start with openings? Which ones are a good starting point?

Thanks

1. Learn all the rules (including stalemate, pawn promotion, castling, and en passant)

2. Learn the value of the pieces. Q,R,B,N,P = 9,5,3,3,1

3. Learn the basic mates (K vs K+R+R and K vs K + Q and K vs K + R, there should be youtube videos for each out there somewhere, just google)

4. Learn the opening principals.

5. Learn basic tactical patterns (google for fork, pin, double attack, discovered attack, and removing the defender).

6. Learn basic strategy regarding pawns (google isolated pawn, doubled pawn, backward pawn, passed pawn, pawn chain, pawn island, pawn majority)

7. Learn basic strategy regarding pieces (google knight outpost, open file, half-open file, good bishop, bad bishop).

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That's a good intro to the game that covers the main aspects i.e. openings, endgames, tactics, and strategy.

After that there are tons of articles and videos online.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM-ONC2bCHytG2mYtKDmIeA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa2Ezoefyh5Gm9gXwg0kCdA

A lot of practice in the beginning has to do with playing games for experience and solving tactic puzzles. You can google for "chess tactic puzzles"

Thanks all

Do I stay away from studying master games. Is there any benefit now for me to do this?

Opening Principles:

1. Control the center squares – d4-e4-d5-e5

2. Develop your minor pieces toward the center – piece activity is the key

3. Castle

4. Connect your rooks

Tactics...tactics...tactics...

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. 

5. After each move by your opponent, ask yourself: "What is my opponent trying to do?"

Middlegame Planning:

1. Expand your position:

a. Gain more space.

b. Improve the position of your pieces.

2. Decide on what side of the board to play.

a. Queenside: a-c files.

b. Center: d-e files.

c. Kingside: f-h files.

Compare, space, material, and weakness(es)

Play where you have the advantage.

3. DO NOT HURRY.  Regroup your pieces, and be patient.