#1
"I know there are openings I should learn" ++ No, you should not learn any openings.
"what should my thought process be in the beginning?"
++ There are common sense rules:
1) Play only your e- and d-pawns
2) Play knights before you play bishops
3) Do not play the same piece twice
4) do not pin Nf6/Nf3 with Bg5/Bg4 before the opponent has castled O-O
All 4 have exceptions, but if you follow these you will be fine.
"What are my goals?"
Goals: develop pieces into play, control the central squares, bring your king to safety.
"what are some good openings for beginners?"
As black defend 1 e4 e5 and 1 d4 d5, as white open 1 e4.
So I have been playing chess online recently and losing. Allot. Basically because I dont know what to do in the beginning of the game. Once some pieces are out I can think ahead, but in the beginning I have no clue what to do.https://19216801.onl/ I pretty much just try and protect the middle of the board (not well). I know there are openings I should learn and things but its challenging to follow them under the circumstances often. So what should my thought process be in the beginning? What are my goals? And what are some good openings for beginners?