One of my development issues other than blundering pieces has been openings, and there are so many openings, variations and traps that it is hard to remember anything at all about them...information overload I suppose. I have been trying to learn one simple opening for white and one for black so that I don't get caught up in traps and the one for black that seems easy enough to remember is the variation I played in the game above (sort of). I found a video of this opening here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdOb5gt4vIQ
It seemed so easy to learn and appears to be defensive in nature (avoiding traps) that it stuck with me. Although the moves are not the ideal moves to make, I am at least getting somewhat comfortable with the first 10 moves and hope to overcome the minor space disadvantages by playing a more tactical middle game.
For white, I have been attempting to learn the London System, since it also appears to be a relatively safe and easy to learn opening. If it's one thing I hate as a beginner it is falling for traps, so this one seems to fit my chess style for now. Once I can retain all that I have learned and seen so far, I hope to expand and learn a few more openings for black and white. Maybe Caro Kann and the French defence?
I would love to play some casual games with more experienced players and hopefully expand my knowledge, but it certainly is certainly not easy finding people patient enough for these long games, plus analysis afterwards. I've had some luck with a few other Lichess players over the past month or two and I appreciate this great community and all of you who take some time out to help out the beginners. Thanks all for the great tips and suggestions...keep 'em coming! =)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdOb5gt4vIQ
It seemed so easy to learn and appears to be defensive in nature (avoiding traps) that it stuck with me. Although the moves are not the ideal moves to make, I am at least getting somewhat comfortable with the first 10 moves and hope to overcome the minor space disadvantages by playing a more tactical middle game.
For white, I have been attempting to learn the London System, since it also appears to be a relatively safe and easy to learn opening. If it's one thing I hate as a beginner it is falling for traps, so this one seems to fit my chess style for now. Once I can retain all that I have learned and seen so far, I hope to expand and learn a few more openings for black and white. Maybe Caro Kann and the French defence?
I would love to play some casual games with more experienced players and hopefully expand my knowledge, but it certainly is certainly not easy finding people patient enough for these long games, plus analysis afterwards. I've had some luck with a few other Lichess players over the past month or two and I appreciate this great community and all of you who take some time out to help out the beginners. Thanks all for the great tips and suggestions...keep 'em coming! =)