I know the basics of chess but like it was not till I met a guy in college that I became aware of enpassant (or however its spelled). Anyone who gets like ternament level has to start memorizing openings and gambits. granted much of learning that is learning why the positioning is good which helps in making moves outside of one. But like if you just play by knowing the moves most people who know tournament openings and gambits and such will wipe the floor with you. Like when I played with that one friend Im pretty sure he treated it as a time to experiment and see what happens when he does not make optimal moves.