U ask too much, too many openings and things to tell.
There are books for that u know, specially this one (a bit old but it is a classic one) :
https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Behind-Chess-Openings-Algebraic/dp/0812917561/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490082387&sr=1-1&keywords=reuben+fine+chess
The problem asking amateurs is that u will get wrong statements, far better to get your answers with this kind of book.
"... Nearly 170 pages [in The Mammoth Book of Chess] are ... devoted to various chess openings. ..." - Steve Goldberg (2010)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708093123/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review756.pdf
That sort of reading would be a pretty daunting task, but I think this book differs from most others in that it uses a lot of sample games.
Hello IM poucin, thank you for your response.
I realize the near infinite variations of openings make my question difficult to answer, I'm just looking for more of a surface point to start, and based on the ToC of the book I think this was exactly what I was looking for. Would this work?
https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Behind-Chess-Openings/dp/4871874605
If there are any more books you'd recommend on openings, I would sure appreciate it! Openings are my worst weakness
Thanks again!
Hi kindaspongey, thank you for your response.
That looks like an excellent suggestion of a book, although I was hoping for more of a concentrated book rather than general, or something like IM poucin suggested.
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708112658/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review315.pdf
About half a century ago, I think the Fine book was considered to be nearly essential reading, but now, I fear that its information is seriously out-of-date. Also, I do not think it has much in the way of sample games which, in my opinion, are the best way to get a quick idea about whether or not one would want to learn more about an opening. The Mammoth book is not devoted exclusively to openings, but about 170 pages are on that subject.
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708112658/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review315.pdf
About half a century ago, I think the Fine book was considered to be nearly essential reading, but now, I fear that its information is seriously out-of-date. Also, I do not think it has much in the way of sample games which, in my opinion, are the best way to get a quick idea about whether or not one would want to learn more about an opening. The Mammoth book is not devoted exclusively to openings, but about 170 pages are on that subject.
I think there is a 2012 version of fine's book which may be is up to date?
https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Behind-Chess-Openings/dp/4871874605
My book budget is a bit limited, so I must choose my books wisely 
(Going for some mid game books too)
Fine died in 1993, so it does not seem likely that he did any revising after the 1989 edition criticized in the review that I previously indicated. Also, there is still the matter of whether you want to see some sample games or a lot of variations. To be honest, I suspect that both books will turn out to be impractical projects, but the Mammoth games may have instructive value beyond what they communicate about this or that opening.
That's a reprint with a the old notation "1. P-K4 P-K4" instead of the algebraic notation 1. e4 e5. Get the book https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Behind-Chess-Openings-Algebraic/dp/0812917561 or look at the article https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-to-understand-openings
The mentioned https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Chess-Openings-Everyman/dp/1857443497 is also not that expensive if you buy it used.
For someone seeking help with choosing openings, I usually bring up Openings for Amateurs by Pete Tamburro (2014).
http://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-of-pete-tamburros-openings-for.html
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/openings-for-amateurs/
I believe that it is possible to see a fair portion of the beginning of Tamburro's book by going to the Mongoose Press site.
https://www.mongoosepress.com/excerpts/OpeningsForAmateurs%20sample.pdf
Perhaps vardanbetikyan would also want to look at Discovering Chess Openings by GM John Emms (2006).
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
Neither of these books lists all of the major openings, but they both discuss principles and examples.
"Each player should choose an opening that attracts him. Some players are looking for a gambit as White, others for Black gambits. Many players that are starting out (or have bad memories) want to avoid mainstream systems, others want dynamic openings, and others want calm positional pathways. It’s all about personal taste and personal need.
For example, if you feel you’re poor at tactics you can choose a quiet positional opening (trying to hide from your weakness and just play chess), or seek more dynamic openings that engender lots of tactics and sacrifices (this might lead to more losses but, over time, will improve your tactical skills and make you stronger)." - IM Jeremy Silman (January 28, 2016)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/picking-the-correct-opening-repertoire
http://chess-teacher.com/best-chess-openings/
https://www.chess.com/blog/TigerLilov/build-your-opening-repertoire
https://www.chess.com/blog/CraiggoryC/how-to-build-an-opening-repertoire
https://www.chess.com/article/view/learning-an-opening-to-memorize-or-understand
https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-perfect-opening-for-the-lazy-student
https://www.chess.com/article/view/3-ways-to-learn-new-openings
https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-to-understand-openings
https://www.newinchess.com/Shop/Images/Pdfs/9035.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627110453/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen169.pdf
https://www.newinchess.com/Shop/Images/Pdfs/9029.pdf
https://www.newinchess.com/Shop/Images/Pdfs/7277.pdf
... or look at the article https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-to-understand-openings ...
Silman mentions FCO, a 2009 book that does approximately the same sort of thing as the Fine book, but still without sample games.
"... [Fundamental Chess Openings] is not particularly suited for players who are just starting out. I would imagine players rated at least 1400-1500 would get the most benefit from this volume. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2010)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140626173432/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen128.pdf
You can get an idea about what it is like to try to read this sort of book by looking at this sample:
http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/FCO_Fundamental_Chess_Openings.pdf
A Silman sentence gives some indication of the sort of thing that is probably going to be necessary, no matter what book one chooses.
"... pick up the tidbits [FCO] offers, fashion a repertoire based on the lines that intrigue you, buy books on your openings, and then play a zillion blitz games with it. ..."
So much of interesting and useful things mentioned here ...
... The mentioned https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Chess-Openings-Everyman/dp/1857443497 is also not that expensive if you buy it used.
Not as coprehensive as FCO, but probably a lot more readable. If I remember correctly, it was written around 1999. Here is a review:
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627132508/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen173.pdf
I found these books for a few bucks and bought them, hope to learn much from them, thank you guys!
I would be curious to know to what degree the purchased books turned out to be helpful.
I will let you know
Ive been studying the english for 2 years and i feel like theirs so much unsolved potential with the variations that arise from it.
I dont believe ill ever fully master the full capacity of it. Fischer mustve studied it for 10 years.
This is related, and interesting...
"The Greatest Ever Chess Opening Ideas" by Christoph Sheerer...
https://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Ever-Chess-Opening-Ideas/dp/1857445619/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490158586&sr=8-1&keywords=greatest+chess+opening+ideas
and here are some links specific to openings....
https://www.chess.com/news/view/general-openings-links-8433
Thanks for the book review link. I had not seen it prior. According to the reviewer, it looks like the book, while possibly interesting, is not necessarily as "great" as its title suggests.......it's therefore perhaps best to pass on this one...
However, a book that does seem to receive universal praise is...
FCO: Fundamental Chess Openings by Paul van der Sterren.....
https://www.amazon.com/FCO-Fundamental-Paul-Van-Sterren/dp/1906454132/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490184418&sr=8-1&keywords=fco+fundamental+chess+openings
I'm trying to study openings to improve my chess play, but I can't seem to find a blog or such describing openings properly. I wan't to know what type of opening it is before I actually learn it. Can anyone out there with a good knowledge and understanding of openings make a list and perhaps describe the opening with some pros and cons of it? (E.g This opening is for players who like closed positions. -or- Best opening for players who like sharp games).
)
In any case, I would like to hear what opening you use and why!
(I also wouldn't mind if you would suggest a nice book on openings
I hope to learn a lot from you, Thanks!