I agree with you, I've played some games with players where they are strong during opening but then don't know how to finish the game with a rook and king combination in a tactical manner.

I compare chess to golf, learn from end game (putting) to the tee.

Paolodm, I agree with you wholly.  Heavy openings are dangerous to beginners.  Better that they should learn the basics of pushing wood--their own and that of their wiley foe.  That and perhaps "parentvision"--the unerring ability to instinctively imagine even the most outlandishly worst reply to any move you might make (analogous to refrains like "if you do that, you'll put your eye out").

 

But as soon as kids learn of BCO they attempt to cobble together a repetoire of the longest lines of razor sharp variations marked +=.  If they successfully navigate into this alien landscape, the odds are they will be playing someone who actually knows something about the position, at which point the swamp starts to look scary ...

I think it is very wrong to memorize openings,that's what most people dont understand.It's almost impossible to learn them this way,because there are tons of variations and all that and memorizing all of the is quite impossible.As for studying openings when you reach elo 1800,I totally disagree,I dont think that should be,if you really want to be good at chess,you shouldn't wait till you are rated 1800 before thinking about studying openings.It's the way you study them that matters.Look for a good book on the opening you want to learn and read through,understanding the ideas and reasons for every move in an opening.That way you are sure to UNDERSTAND it.Next you practice the opening by playing a lot of games and studying them later to see where you "left Book"

Nobody seems to be understanding my argument. It's simple, really:

Some basic openings ideas: Good

25 Lines, 20 variations: Bad

 

Someone please shoot me if someone says studying openings is fine. Of course it's an advantage if you know the opening. 

Knowing some openings is fine, it really help you save time. I think its an advantage if you know the variations of that opening.

I think studying openings is important but it is the principles that are important - not memorising reams of variations.  A good idea is to analyse each of your games after you have finished and see if you could improve on your opening play.  If you don't understand a move your opponent played, try asking a friend or a computer what they would play.  That way you learn and develop a knowledge of openings - without memorising them.

But paulgr, you're missing the crux of my argument. I understand that knowing SOME basic positions are important BUT some people take it to a wholly insane level by going into openings that are clearly beyond their grasp. Why do so many people (especially Juniors) play the Sicilian? Why do they go into these wily variations that have no end in sight?!

Like I said before, study some basic positions and know them well. Don't spend all your time memorizing opening variations.  

Studying chess,and esspecially openings is very important,and let me explain why:In games where u have to play under time pressure,u dont have the luxury to think about the first moves....to give u an example.. i play in chess tournaments and i actually havent studyed not even on opening..this thing makes me losing time and when the game is IN middle and there are many positions for me to think i have very little time...so i am  constantly under time presure...and as a result i have lost some games in which i could have at least taken a draw...its a good thing to be prepared before u go to ''war''...and this is a good advice and for our real lives too...same goes to edgame...if u know theory u can play fast when needed and u can know if u have a winning position or not....

I agree.  Many new players spend too much time trying to learn the openings when studying other facets of chess like tactics would be time better spent.  They can get through the opening but they fall apart in the middle game and don't have a clue if it reaches endgame.

If you understand and follow opening principles you should be fine. I agree that if is a waste of time trying to memorize various openings. especially if you are a beginner!

Studying tactic is the way to go! alone what NM paolodm said:

 

"It's more important to have a basic understanding of the position and the plans involved in the position." 

 

Once you have a basic understand, then Opening Theory become clearly.

Studying openings for under 1800 players is not what I'm griping about. What I don't understand is memorizing 25 move openings with 8 different main lines.

It's more important to have a basic understanding of the position and the plans involved in the position. And farbror is right, studying tactics (and might I add studying strategy) gets you more bang for the buck. 

Usefull?? Sure, but I do think that it is suboptimal to devote time to study/memorize openings <1800ish.

 

I think you get a lot of more bang for the buck by studying Tactics

i think that even for under 1800 players it s very useful to know some 3 or 4 openings and defences and their main lines.