First step in the first journey toward the first goal

That's a whole lot of firsts!

My Internet Chess Club handle is my name, KyleMayhugh.  I play exclusively standard, usually 15/0 or 30/30, but I'm willing to play other time controls.  

I have an ICC record of 142 wins, 187 losses and 35 draws with a current rating of 1217 and a highest-ever rating of 1313 (achieved on August 28).

As any new chess player knows, openings are hard.  One of the first things I tried to do recently is decide on an opening and stick with it, learning its ins and outs. I've read that players trying to improve sometimes focus too much on learning all the gimmicky openings and traps that no real player would ever fall for.

My choice for white? Queen's Gambit. 

1. d4 d5

2. c4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen's_Gambit

There are a lot of positions that go from there, and it'd be hopeless to try to learn all of them, but there are some nice basic themes.  The d4, c4 opening works just fine even if black does not respond with 1 ... d5.  You are essentially daring black to try to take your c-pawn (leaving him to try to defend whatever piece is left on c4), controlling the center of the board and creating a lot of space on the queen's side.  It's a good way to put yourself in a position to learn to play positionally, fighting for control of the center.

As black, you obviously need to be prepared for more options. Against 1. e4, I like to (try to) play the Caro-Kann and am beginning to learn the basics of it.  Against 1. d4, I still don't have a good plan. As I write that, I realize I probably need to come up with one. This blog is helping me already! :)  Against anything else, I'll just start advancing central pawns and developing for control of the center.

Tonight after work and games, I'll see if I can post the night's most interesting game and go from there.