How to learn about opening theory in chess?

What is the best chess software to memorize opening theory? i like peshkas, but am not sure...?

• if the one they offer would be best. I want to be able to memorize opening theory in like 30 minutes a day practice with a software program. or would it be better just to play the computer and look at the moves at the same time over and over?

• Answer:

  If you want to be a serious player, and develop a broad range of opening knowledge, this takes time which you seem willing to devote. For starters, you need several things. 1. A book with reasonably broad coverage of the openings. I suggest Modern Chess Openings 2. A Chess Database Program. ChessBase seems most popular. 3. A Chess computer program. Note that chess database programs have chess analyses engines built in, so you may not need a stand alone product here. 4. Online access to play games against other humans. Check out the Free Internet Chess Server. Note that when you first sign on, you will be offered a variety of supported intervafaces to download. Most seem to prefer the Babas interface. However you go, it is hard to beat free. 5. A source of recent chess games (to load into your database program). I suggest the Week in Chess as a good start. Their download site already provides recent games in several popular formats. Have fun!!