When a player starts out, he gets all kinds of strange advice, some being worthwhile, and some being worse than useless. Perhaps the most common recommendation is to master the openings. Sadly, this is not only harmful in that it does little to improve a beginning player's understanding of the game, it also creates the misconception that chess is based largely on memorization, and this in turn can lead to a hopeful chess newbie giving up the game for good (One look at a phonebook size chess tome and any player would be excused if they ran for the hills!).

This isn't to say that you should not create a quick and easy-to-learn repertoire. Doing so allows you to hone your systems over time and will indeed improve your results - as long as you are concentrating your main efforts on deepening your positional and tactical skills.

Note how I said, "easy-to-learn." The trick for a chess newcomer is to make the study of openings minimal, while also turning it into something fun and non-threatening. To show you how to do this, let's create a semi-complete black repertoire that is effective, safe, and quite easy to learn - I think the Queen's Gambit Declined fits the bill nicely (I say "semi-complete" because it gives you a complete answer to everything BUT 1.e4. In that case you would want to learn another safe and easy system - The Caro-Kann would be my choice).

You will play 1.d5, 2.e6, 3.Nf6, 4.Be7, 5.0-0 with speed and confidence. That's it, those are your moves (Pretty simple, isn't it?), though the one exception is 1.c4 when you will invert your first two by 1.e6 2.Nf3 d5 followed by the moves given.

Here's a common sequence: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 0-0.

DEVELOPED & CASTLED, LIFE IS GOOD!

Five moves are easy to memorize, but the real trick is knowing the IDEAS behind them. Thus, let's deconstruct these moves:

1.d4

White gains central space, gains influence on the c5- and e5-squares, and frees his c1-Bishop.

1.d5

Black whips out this classical reply, which challenges White's control over the center, gains influence on the c4- and e4-squares, and frees the c8-Bishop.

Note that Black would play this same move against 1.Nf3, 1.b3, 1.g3 - virtually everything but 1.c4 and 1.e4. Though looking at the Caro-Kann (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5) is outside the scope of this article, the English Opening (1.c4) should be met by 1.e6 when 2.d5 will bring us back to Black's QGD setup.

BLACK INSISTS ON HIS QGD SETUP: .d7-d5 FOLLOWS

WHY must Black meet 1.c4 with 1.e6? Why not 1.c4 d5? The idea of 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 is to meet 3.cxd5 with 3.exd5 when Black retains a nice foothold in the center, opens the e-file for a Rook, and frees his c8-Bishop. However, after 1.c4 d5 White just captures via 2.cxd5 when 2.Qxd5 3.Nc3 loses time by bringing the Queen out too quickly. The whole Black system is based on Black retaining a pawn on d5, which is why he firmly defends it by .e7-e6.

2.c4

White places pressure on the d5-pawn and prepares to comfortably bring his Q-Knight out behind it where it will join in the attack against d5. By advancing this pawn, White is also making sure his Rooks will have a bit of scope since a later Rc1 will place it on a half-open file.

2.e6

Can't Black win a pawn by 2.dxc4? While you should not hesitate to leave the prescribed path if something juicy comes your way, taking on c4 is a completely different opening system known as the Queen's Gambit Accepted. White easily regains the pawn in a number of ways, one being: 2.dxc4 3.e3 b5? (trying hard to hold onto the material) 4.a4 c6 (also bad is 4.a6 5.axb5 since 5.axb5?? loses to 6.Rxa8) 5.axb5 cxb5 6.Qf3 and Black loses a piece! This is an old trap that has taken many victims.

Instead of risking life and limb on such adventures, stick to the safety of 2.e6.

3.Nc3

White develops a piece and puts pressure against the d5-pawn and the e4-square.

3.Nf6

Black also develops a piece while giving extra support to his d-pawn and challenging White for control over the e4-square. Notice how all these moves (for both sides) are multi-purpose, gaining central influence, developing, and placing pressure on key points.

4.Bg5

White would like to play e2-e3, but that would lock in his dark-squared Bishop. To avoid that while also making a very useful move, White pins the f6-Knight. This not only develops a piece, it also puts more pressure on d5.

You might ask, "How does Bg5 attack Black's d5-pawn? That's crazy talk!" However, a sober look will bring the realization that Black's f6-Knight is an important defender of d5. By pinning it, and by having the option of taking on f6 in the future, White is able to weaken Black's control over d5. Thus, 4.Bg5 pins the Knight that guards the pawn (on d5) that is attacked by White's c3-Knight and c4-pawn!

4.Be7

This is one of those multi-purpose moves that I mentioned in my note to Black's 3.Nf6. Black breaks the pin caused by White's dark-squared Bishop while developing a piece and preparing to castle.

5.e3

White is happy to make this move. It makes the d4-pawn very solid while also freeing the f1-Bishop. To repeat: this wasn't played on move four since it would have closed in the dark-squared Bishop on c1.

5.0-0

Black castles, getting his King to safety and bringing his Rook closer to the center.

So Black achieved a comfortable position with very little effort, and it's nice to know that this is available to you versus everything but 1.e4.

You can do quite well just knowing these five little moves. However, after you practice them for a while (blitz chess is an excellent way to do this, play one quick game after another using your new openings, always looking in a book after the game is done to see what you did right or wrong) you might wish to add a bit more to your knowledge of your chosen system. I recommend a line known as the Tartakower Variation. The following Black moves can be played against many White choices:

6.Nf3

Developing, controlling key points on d4 and e5, and getting a bit closer to castling.

6.h6

A useful move that gives his King a bit of luft with gain of tempo.

7.Bh4

White could have chopped on f6, but Black would have a solid position in that case too, thanks to his smooth development and two Bishops.

7.b6!

This is the first key to your system. Black's one poor piece is his light-squared Bishop. By placing it on b7 it might easily turn into a hero along the a8-h1 diagonal. Black will follow up with (the order depends on what moves White plays) .Bb7, .Nbd7, and .c7-c5 with a free and easy development and a good game.

This last move (the freeing .c7-c5) is the second key to the Tartakower Variation. The Black c-pawn is vulnerable since White's Rook is staring at it down the expanse of the c-file. Black needs to turn this weakness into a dynamic worker, and .c7-c5 (answering dxc5 with .bxc5) does just that by creating a space-gaining center known as the "hanging pawns." Though the name "hanging pawns" sounds like something that is weak, the structure is actually full of dynamic potential.

TYPICAL "HANGING PAWNS" POSITION

White will hope the pawns prove to be targets, but Black, who is protecting his pawns soundly, has many advantages to make use of:

* More territory.
* Control over key squares on b4, c4, d4, and e4.
* Possible play down the half open b- and e-files (nice homes for his Rooks!).
* The e4-square can turn into a strong post for his f6-Knight.
*A well-timed .d5-d4 advance not only creates a passed pawn, it also unleashes the     powerful Bishop on b7.

There is one other White setup that carries some punch: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5.

THE EXCHANGE VARIATION

By exchanging on d5, White creates a firm central situation that gives him the possibility of employing some advanced ideas. However, when you're starting out, advanced strategic plans will be as alien to your opponents as they are to you! Looking at it from Black's perspective, he's happy that White opened up the c8-h3 diagonal for his Bishop and also opened up the e-file for a Black Rook. Play might proceed:

5.Bg5

Developing, pinning the Knight, and threatening 6.Bxf6 when 6.gxf6 cripples Black's pawn structure and 6.Qxf6 hangs the d-pawn to 7.Nxd5.

5.Be7

Black follows his usual developing scheme. This move ends White's immediate threats since now 6.Bxf6 can safely be met by 6.Bxf6.

6.e3

Firming up his center and freeing the f1-Bishop.

6.0-0

It's always a good idea to get your King to safety as quickly as possible.

7.Nf3

Developing and getting ready to castle.

7.c6

Since the c8-Bishop already has a free diagonal, there's no longer a need for .b6 and .Bb7. By playing the c-pawn to c6, you guard both the c-pawn (by the pawn on b7) and the d-pawn.

IMPORTANT! It might seem a good idea to get your c8-Bishop out by 7.Bf5.

A BLUNDER! WHITE TO MOVE AND WIN A PAWN

This blunder leaves b7 without a defender and loses a pawn to 8.Bxf6 (taking away a defender from d5) 8.Bxf6 9.Qb3 when White is attacking two pawns at once (on b7 and d5). Don't fall for this trap!

8.Bd3

Since Black solidified his d-pawn and refused to fall for any traps, White goes back to simple developing moves. Besides, he wants to castle too and that Bishop was in the way!

8.Nbd7

Another solid move. The Knight develops and heads for the kingside. Black will continue with 9.Re8 (placing the Rook on the half-open e-file) and 10.Nf8 (giving extra support to h7 [in anticipation of White's Qc2 with a double barreled attack down the b1-h7 diagonal] and preparing to swing the Knight to g6) when the second player has a safe and sound position.

Let's repeat the important features that were explored in this article:

* A solid, easy to learn opening repertoire does NOT require masses of memorization!
* Blitz chess is a painless way to get acquainted with your new opening.
* The QGD allows Black to develop his kingside quickly and castle.
* Black (in the main line) would ultimately like to activate his "poor" light-squared Bishop by placing it on the a8-h1 diagonal via .b7-b6 and .Bb7.
* Once Black is castled and his light-squared Bishop is nestled on b7, the c-pawn should be put to work by .c7-c5.
* The "hanging pawn" positions that often occur give Black good dynamic chances.
* In the Exchange Variation (White plays an early cxd5), Black's Bishop is handed a nice diagonal (c8-h3) so his normal "Tartakower" setup can be changed.
* Don't fall for tricks based on a double attack against b7 and d5! If (in the Exchange Variation) you make d5 as solid as a rock by .c7-c6, these traps will never see the light of day.

And that's all you need to know to set your new opening in motion. Experience and the occasional glance at a chess book will constantly strength your system and allow you to play the opening with confidence.