Learning Chess by first principles


For me, the best way to learn chess principles is to play out the games of great players that I admire, or famous games from history. I have an old book, I think called "Great Brilliancy Prize Games of the Chess Masters," that is very useful, because every game shows you some kind of chess principle.
I prefer to read books instead of watching videos or DVDs.
My memory is also not very good, probably because of my age and the pressures of my job. I don't know any chess openings by name. But I play and enjoy the game like everyone else.