user-1: What is the first piece I should move as a novice chess player when beginning the game on the white side as a defensive strategy?

user17: If you want to play "defensively" as White, start with 1. Nf3. a) This develops a piece. b) It delays moving a pawn, and gives Black a chance to "commit" first. c) It prevents Black from playing e5 without further preparation. d) It starts preparing for castling king side.
Your next move is to move a pawn, probably g3. Then move the light squared bishop to g2. Then you can castle, O-O, with a maximally secure king side, protected by both a knight and a bishop.

user9030: There is no magical move that will solve your opening problems. But if you learn opening principles you can find the correct moves for solving your problems your own. 
I recommend you to read this: http://www.chess.com/article/view/the-principles-of-the-opening
I also found this video quite entertaining: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNO9KCloLRE
Also check these opening traps: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_chess_traps

-1: <p>What is the first piece I should move as a novice chess player when beginning the game on the white side as a defensive strategy?</p>
 17: <p>If you want to play "defensively" as White, start with 1. Nf3. a) This develops a piece. b) It delays moving a pawn, and gives Black a chance to "commit" first. c) It prevents Black from playing e5 without further preparation. d) It starts preparing for castling king side.</p>

<p>Your next move is to move a pawn, probably g3. Then move the light squared bishop to g2. Then you can castle, O-O, with a maximally secure king side, protected by both a knight and a bishop.</p>
 9030: <p>There is no magical move that will solve your opening problems. But if you learn <strong>opening principles</strong> you can find the correct moves for solving your problems your own. </p>

<p>I recommend you to read this: <a href="http://www.chess.com/article/view/the-principles-of-the-opening" rel="nofollow">http://www.chess.com/article/view/the-principles-of-the-opening</a></p>

<p>I also found this video quite entertaining: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNO9KCloLRE" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNO9KCloLRE</a></p>

<p>Also check these <strong>opening traps</strong>: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_chess_traps" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_chess_traps</a></p>
