The beginner is told two things that are important but perhaps over-emphasized. The first is that the "point" of the opening game is to control the center of the board. In an important sense, this is true - the center of the board controls the game, so the player who controls the center controls the game.

But it is also true that one can control the center in strength but not in acumen. If you achieve control without an understanding of why you are in control, you can lose the center - and, more importantly, control of the game - as easily as you gained it.

The second is that you should master the classic openings. Again, this is true but also can be overemphasized. You must understand the why of the classic openings or they are simple rote, and you have gain knowledge but not understanding and are no closer to mastery or to the deeper lessons chess can provide than you were when you didn't know a Rook from a Pawn.

This may sound extreme, and to an extent it is, but it is not meant to discourage the beginner. In fact, my point is to do just the opposite - it is your native understanding that will make these elements come alive and truly have value. Chess excellence does not begin in these external instructions but in your own understanding, which will certainly breathe life into these pointers if it is given priority over them.

As mentioned in "The Stages of Chess Play" chapter, you may want to play for a while without studying any openings. That will give you a sense, through trial and error, of what your obstacles will be.

When you are ready for a few of the classic openings, these videos will give you a few to begin with. As readers raise questions about particular openings - or problems that particular openings are especially good at addressing - we will provide more information.

Chess openings

For white, the Ruy Lopez:

The Italian Game:

And the Four Knights Opening:

For black, the Sicilian Defense:

The French Defense:

And the Queen's Gambit Accepted: