Most amateurs feel that beyond all else, the study of the openings are of prime importance to winning games
The most common error that armature chess players make is to spend the beginning of their chess lives memorizing opening variations with which they think they can win lots of quick games. There is nothing more tempting than learning to win fast; but this is a terrible mistake. If you memorize variations, you may do well in the short run, but over time you'll falter because you're not learning the heart of chess.
The problem with just spending all your time in the study of the openings is that after your memorized opening moves play out you have not a clue of what to do next so then you have to rely on just your tactical skills alone to try and win the game.
And that is not going to be enough, against the one who has studied the Opening Principles, Making Plans, Strategy, Pawn Structure, The Basics of Calculating and all the other important basic chess principles. Against all that, the opening studying zealot who is fanatical about just studying openings alone is bound to lose because as the game progresses, his opponent will get stronger and he will get weaker as they are moving towards their area of comfort, the endgame, and you are leaving your memorized opening moves..
The heart of chess lies in the theory and practice of endgame methods. By studying each chess piece in isolation, you will learn the essence of the chess pieces because you will lean about them in positions of reduced complexity.
What is important is to learn the very basic principles which govern all chess positions. Chess players who join my club quickly noticed that this is the spirit of my chess school, in teaching you the basic underlying ideas that are universal to your chess experience. Even in our opening studies the emphasis is placed on the ideas behind the openings which are much more important than merely trying to memorize various variations.
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