Chess Openings - What good are they if nobody I play knows them?

If you know the basic openings such as the "Ruy Lopez" opening and your opponents don't it gives you a great advantage in the opening of the game. This should allow you more latitude in the middle and end game. You should also study middle and end games.

Because it gives you an advantage over them.

Basically, in friendly games or in most games between players ranked below expert level (called "Class" players because their level would be Class A, Class B, etc), the openings don't matter a whole lot. Openings really don't come into play until you reach Expert level or above. The reason for this is because games involving Class players contain too many tactical mistakes, by both sides throughout the game, for the openings to have much significance. In other words, in games between "below-expoert" players, the true purpose of playing a particular opening is nullified because the players are too weak tactically to take full advantage of the features that are offered by the particular opening that was played. There have been players who have reached Expert level without "knowing" any openings... in order to do that, you have to be an absolute tactical beast... however, it's not really possible to go beyond that (i.e. to Master level) without an extensive knowledge of openings... or if it is, at least no one's done it in the modern era. As a class player, the only thing you really need to keep in mind is to play good opening PRINCIPLES. The three most important opening principles to keep in mind are: 1) Bringing your King to safety by castling 2) Develop your pieces toward the center so that they're ready for middlegame action 3) Control the center either by actual possession or by short-range or long-range actions of pieces and pawns. There are five moves for White which are useful toward achieving at least 2 of the 3 goals, and these are therefore considered to be "perfect" opening moves... they are e4, d4, c4, Nf3 and g3. If both you and your opponent end up playing each other using good opening principles, you'll find that you are playing "an opening", you just might not know it by name. But yeah, "openings" really don't do you much good until you reach expert level, and should be the last thing studied by amateurs. In order to be a good player, one needs a good foundation about how different combinations of pieces work together...the best way to learn that is to study endgames first... it's easier to grasp these principles if there are only a few pieces on the board... then, once endgames are "mastered", they should study the middlegame, in order to develop their tactical ability. It's only after a player reaches a level where he's knowledgeable about endgames and tactics that he should then venture into studing particular openings. But again, you should always play using good opening principles.... just don't worry yet about "knowing" any one particular opening.

They are good because you know them, and can use them. Teach them to others you play with so that they learn them too, and as they get better you will have to learn to defend against different openings. Possibly join a chess club or find a few players to play with who are better than you. That is the best way to improve - to play against better opponents. Best of luck.

In a way, you are right. You can know you white opening like back of your hand, but if your opponent does something off the wall, say, A5, you really can't play the opening you know. The solution. The opening teaches you two thing, your opening, and strong solid opening principles. Control the center, Develop minor pieces, Castle eary, dont develop queen *too* early. These prinicples are what will get you though even the oddest of opening an inexpirenced player can though at you. Remember, if it is not a wildy accepted opening, there is most likly a good reason.

Even for experts, knowing just opening moves is not nearly important as knowing why they are making the moves, or what the objective is. If you look up the chess strategy, and see that in the opening, the objecitve is to: 1. Attack the Center 2. Develop Knights and Bishops. 3. Castle (in most cases) Knowing an opening just gives you a starting plan to get this going without wasting too many moves. From this site, you can get some "Smart Chess Scoresheets" that help lead you to play better. (if you are a beginner.) and there is a Chess tips sheet that is very informative. http://www.chessville.com/instruction/Professor_Chester_Nuhmentz/index.htm

A proper opening puts you in a strong position initially. You do not waste any moves here, and each opening has its own set of pitfalls for the opponents; and if you are thorough with your opening, there will always be a chance to break into your opponents defences if he is not familiar with your opening. I have a strong opening game, and lesser ranked opponents just do not see where to defend and let me through easily as they do not possess enough knowledge about opening games. The ruy lopez is one of the most useful as is the petroff's defence for beginners. If your opponent is not familiar with this, you win the game easily.

Very interisting question. If you are a pro you should know openings down pat but if your are inermidate or even a beginner you relly don't have to know them. I played chess when i was in the 2 grade. I now have 16 1st place trophies and i dont even know one official opining move. Hope this Helps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very good actually. If they're not playing any known opening, you just take over the centre with pawns and develop your bishops and knights quickly. If you have the advantage, that is ok. It doesn't have to be by the book. We play by the book to get an advantage over players who are better.