Openings are hard.

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AFutureNobody
The title says it all. I feel absolutely clueless, especially when I am black (or other dark colors depending on the set). There’s just so much, yet so little that can happen at the start it throws me off, which results in earlier blunders. Does anyone have any guidance on what I should focus on so that I can set myself on the right track?
llama36

I looked at 5 of your recent games (a mix of wins and losses).

In all of them one side or the other had lost a knight (or more valuable piece) before move 15. On average it happened on move 10.

This isn't to make fun of you, it's to point out something very useful about the opening... imagine if your #1, #2, and #3 goals were all the same, and they were to not be behind in material during the first 15 moves, not even down a single pawn... well, then that means probably your opponent is the one behind, and so you'd be starting most of your games a knight or more ahead... and that's a pretty good opening!

So yeah, variations and things, don't worry about. Just try to finish development without losing any material. Not even a single pawn. If you can do that you'll usually be way ahead.

Mikewrite

I'm no expert. But I picked one decent opening for white (accelerated london) and one for black (black lion). I have worked out most of the scenarios that can happen with those two openings, and continually try to improve them. The only major change I make is if there is an early queen played. Then I do everything I can to either take or harass the queen

jg777chess

Openings below master level are not hard because you can get away with a lot of ideas as long as you’re not dropping material or exposing your king to attacks recklessly. Many gambits are even playable below master level. What’s likely perceived hard about openings is the lack of understanding opening principles concerning development early on to avoid inferior opening positions and how to create middle game ideas from the positions you arrive at after the first opening moves. That takes practice and learning how to break down positions to uncover what’s actually going on and best approach for them. Often you want to learn about pawn structures and typical ideas masters use for certain pawn structures, but even working from a basic move method like CCT can greatly help you. 

I don’t study opening theory and even play subpar opening ideas often, and my games are never decided by the opening moves but by missed tactical ideas or poor positional chess play with pawn structures or key squares being lost/exposed. I even if you have a subpar opening position your opponents will rarely capitalize on it that gives you zero chances to come back from so just focus on safe moves and look for your opponent to make a mistake, then pounce. 

-Jordan

Sadlone

There is only one opening u need to learn ,the king of all the openings , its called the Kings Indian, it can be played with white and black against any play by the opponent its first 4 moves are fixed and they are 1.Nf3 2.g3 3.Bg2 and 4.O-O surely u can memorize 4 moves that's all that is required , no more opening worries

RussBell

Chess Openings Resources for Beginners and Beyond...

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

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell

pcwildman

Wait till you get to end games. :)