I feel completely lost in the opening

I know the “book moves” in the opening like control the center, develop the knights and bishops, etc, I know the general idea. But I don’t understand each individual move or what makes an opening better than another. Like the Scandinavian...why? What’s the point? The only thing I really think about during the opening is develop, make sure I’m not hanging pieces and try to look for an opening. Once we get about...10 moves in or so each and I’m not at a disadvantage, I’m in my comfort zone and I can usually play solid chess (for my level). But I never know HOW I got to that point. I never have a clear opening plan because I don’t know how to make one beyond just develop and don’t hang any pieces. In my mind, there is no difference between any of the common opening moves that I play against. To me, they’re just “opening moves”. Just like how I can’t make a plan in the opening, I have no idea what my opponent is planning in the opening either. And it feels overwhelming to study openings, because if an opponent plays one different move that’s outside the “book” for that type of opening then I’m lost again because the opening in general is just a shot in the dark for me. There’s something I’m not getting. I mean there’s no way people memorize every variation of every opening right? There has to be a way to analyze openings “in general” and be adaptable, like know general concepts to pull ahead in the opening, use your intuition, etc, just like you would do in mid game or end game. It can’t just be pure book memorization.

I hope I’m explaining myself correctly.

I guess what I’m trying to ask is when I’m developing and setting up my opening, I don’t know what a solid opening is compared to a bad one. I just...develop. Center pawn, knights, bishops, pretty much it. Basic book stuff. In the opening when there’s no clear threats to make and I’m just developing, I don’t see the purpose of one move vs another. When I’m thinking “ok what’s the best move I can make right now”, I can’t think of anything beyond “develop”. And to me, that’s not a good enough reason. I need to UNDERSTAND why an opening move is good vs another in a certain context, and I struggle with that. It’s a coin toss whether I end up in a better position in the mid game.

Actually you dont know or understand "book moves".  What you are describing are opening principles.  And you dont even understand that by your own admission: "But I don’t understand each individual move or what makes an opening better than another. "

You're never going to understand, or improve with a steady diet of speed chess.  If you dont give yourself time to think, how are you expecting to improve?

The obsession with openings by beginners, and low rated players is staggering.  I get its fun to act like a GM, and do GM speak.  But when you're not even mastering the basics like not hanging material, not missing simple tactics, and following opening principles.  Why are you worrying about openings?  Openings do not decide your games.

You're not spending your study time wisely.  But thats up to you on how you want to study.  This question is asked constantly and its always the same thing.  Speed chess players, and openings.

 

I’ve never played a speed game before in my life, so not sure where that came from.

What is GM speak? I don’t compare myself to GMs, just myself. I want to be a better player next week than I am this week.

I always like to analyze my own games and see where I went wrong. Of course I can improve many things about my game, but as for hanging pieces and all that stuff, I know what I have to do TO improve them. I’m not lost on the concept of improving those things. Once I know how I can improve on everything I need to improve on, I’ll choose what I want to work on in what order. If I want to focus my efforts on one thing, but I’m not sure what I should prioritize, I’ll make a topic and ask. Everybody’s journey is different, man.

Sorry Bacon, I am a fan of yours, but in this case you seem to have mist the opening (yeah) post and you haven’t checked op’s time controles.

I think that the answer is simple Mninp: you have the basics. Time to move on and master one or two (3) openings. I play Londen with white and Scandi Qa5 and Dutch classical with black. Those are ok I understood, but any main opening will do. Try them, YouTube them, try them again. Have fun !

A steady diet of rapid, blitz, and bullet is speed chess.  So again.  How are you expecting ti improve when you're moving fast, and not giving yourself time to think?  Or even implement into your games what you are trying to learn?

Obviously what you want to work on is up to you.  And im in no way trying to tell you what to do or work on.  I was simply answering your post, explaining why you are "lost" in the opening.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun.

Of course i checked the OP's games, and time controls.  That is what i based my answer on.  Openings are not deciding their games.  But like i responded to the op.  Whatever they decide to study, how they decide to study in their choice.  The main thing is to have fun. 

Oh....and as far as being a fan of mine?  Im still  waiting on my fan club dues :-)

Look at the OP's last G30:

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5753311176

28 moves played, and still has 18:52 left on the clock.  No wonder they lost. 

Another G30 that was a loss:

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5753140986

22 moves and still had 20:43 on the clock. 

This is a consistent pattern.  So no...just because you are deciding to play G30's that does mean youre playing G30's. 

This seems to always get lost in translation.  But when i reply to a post I am not trying to tell someone what to do.  I am answering a question based on my experiences in chess, and what i have been taught, and learned from others.  I dont sugar coat things, so yes I understand why some think i come across as abrasive.  Its just years of experience talking.  No one need to like what i post, or even agree with it.  Take what you think you need, and learn from it.  Or just ignore the whole thing.

Just to expand on what bbmaxwell posted...

 

I recommend to begin by watching the two videos by MSK Chess at the beginning of this article...

Chess Openings Resources for Beginners and Beyond...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/openings-resources-for-beginners-and-beyond

After becoming reasonably "comfortable" with openings (and of course, tactics), you should learn the fundamentals of positional chess, planning and strategy to understand how to best proceed after the opening....books are the best resource to accomplish this because it takes a while to absorb and become skillful with the myriad elements and concepts involved in these facets of the game...

Good Positional Chess, Planning & Strategy Books for Beginners and Beyond...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/introduction-to-positional-chess-planning-strategy

And IMBacon is correct when he recommends to....

Play Longer Time Controls...

For many beginners and novices, speed chess tends to be primarily an exercise in moving pieces around faster than your opponent while avoiding checkmate, in hopes that his/her clock runs out sooner than yours.  Or being fortunate enough to be able to exploit your opponent’s blunders before they exploit yours.

An effective way to improve your chess is to play mostly longer time controls, including "daily" chess, so you have time to think about what you should be doing.  It makes sense that taking time to think about what you should be doing would promote improvement in your chess skills.  

This is not to suggest that you should necessarily play exclusively slow time controls or daily games, but they should be a significant percentage of your games, at least as much, if not more so than speed games which do almost nothing to promote an understanding of how to play the game well.

Here's what IM Jeremy Silman has to say on the topic...
https://www.chess.com/article/view/longer-time-controls-are-more-instructive

and Dan Heisman, famous chess teacher & author...
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627052239/http:/www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman16.pdf

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/dan-heisman-resources

and the experience of a FIDE Master (FM)...

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/how-blitz-and-bullet-rotted-my-brain-don-t-let-it-rot-yours

 

Everything you need to know about the opening phase as a beginner:

https://www.chess.com/blog/nklristic/surviving-the-opening-first-steps-to-chess-improvement

So opening principles, quick development and all that jazz. 

@OP

Firstly the opening is a matter of preference; there are different openings for different styles of players, and different openings that technicians can play, or different openings that are played practically.

The point is the opening is not meant to be better or worse, it depends on how much you like an opening, how much you study it, play it and are naturally good with it or have a feel for it. Knowing this never think openings are necessarily better, there are openings that may give more chances for winning, but not better. This is very important to understand when searching for the opening that fits best for your style.

That's first...

Secondly if you want to master doing well in the opening you have to master the principles, and a simple way you can practice without losing points it to play the chess.com computer or play unrated games. If you are interested in having serious improvement I recommend playing 15/10 time formats at minimum and if you have time 30-45 minute time formats. But since you may not have the time 15/10- 20 minute rapid time formats is perfect, upon these time formats make sure you have at least 5 or 10 seconds of time increment.

When you play those games analyze, particularly the middlgame and endgame, right now really for your level the opening is not critical, even on my level the opening is rarely important, the main battle is in the middlegame and sometimes the endgame. I think the middlgame is the most important part of the game and the endgame needs to be the most polished or specialized in higher levels in the game. However your openings do matter as it will bring about specific position but it will not be so crucial to determine wins or losses automatically like middlegame or endgame play. 

Choose your openings wisely, and play training games with at least +200 points ahead of you whether it be another opponent unrated or the computer for chess.com and play them until you develop a good understanding. 

The only way you are going to improve is through trial and error, all players go through this, if you want to get good you are going to have to lose and keep losing, but upon that eventually you will improve and start winning and winning more after the learning curve and newfound experience.

Hopefully this was helpful,

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