A good beginner repertoire helps you develop pieces, protect your king and recognise threats. It should give you positions you can explain in ordinary language. The number of variations matters less than whether you know what to do when your opponent plays an unfamiliar but sensible move. Start by learning a few short lines and the principles that connect them.
As White, the Italian is a useful way to explore open positions if Black responds with ...e5. The London offers a recurring setup after d4, although Black's pressure on the centre and b2 still needs attention. Try both before deciding which feels clearer. Neither guarantees an advantage, and an e4 repertoire must also account for Black's other first-move defences.
As Black, the Caro-Kann offers a clear central aim: support ...d5 with ...c6 and challenge White's e-pawn. Against d4, choose a structure whose development you understand. The King's Indian is available in the starter set, but its crowded positions and pawn-break timing need study; a familiar setup does not make every middlegame simple.
Spend part of each session on elementary tactics and reviewing your games. If most losses come from hanging pieces, adding more opening depth will have limited value. After a game, find one opening decision to improve and practise that position again. A small repertoire that grows alongside your calculation is more useful than changing openings whenever you lose.
Try this at the board
Complete a short line and explain where your king will go, which piece develops next, and what your opponent attacks.