Opening Repertoire and Systems

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SuperFizzyBubbles

I recently got into chess because I told a friend I would beat them eventually and because I wanted to grow old and be that guy who plays chess in the park and composes in his free time (I know, Im an old soul). So I got to researching and I was fascinated by the complexity of the game. When I searched how many tactics there were and how many checkmate patterns I should memorize, well, to say the least, I was utterly baffled. But, I have a while and want to marry my first openings. I found that the London is a system that has held up wonderfully, teaches pawn structure, has plans, and is positionally sound. The Dutch system looks very aggressive, has clear strengths and weaknesses (Something I like), and is versatile. Against e4 I believe I will play the French because ik it helps avoid the Staunton Gambit in the Dutch and is a counterattacking opening that has strong central control. Do you think this is a good plan for a lifetime rep? Should I consider something more begginerish like the Italian, 4 Knights game, or the Scotch? And what are some of the best resources for these openings?

ThrillerFan

It's not much different than mine, actually.

I play the French and Dutch (via 1...e6) myself as Black.

Difference is White. I view the London as too monotonous. I would suggest something with more diversity in pawn structure. I actually play two different openings as White and get a wide diversity of pawn structures without having to know the heavy theory of the Sicilian, Ruy Lopez, or King's Indian. They are:

1.b4 - Black calls the shots with 1...d5, 1...e5, or 1...Nf6, but the pawn structures are diverse.

1.d4 intending 2.Nc3 and trying to get in e4. After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 (intending e4) d5 3.Bg5, you have the Veresov. In addition to the Veresov, you will get a number of instances of the French, Caro-Kann, Pirc, Modern, Schmid Benoni, or Dutch. But no e4 e5, Sicilian, KID, Nimzo, or other openings dense in theory, and a far wider diversity in pawn structures than the London.