i used to like to watch chess in the park.
but that is a different game. the pros are mostly looking to survive against the clock, playing incredibly fast. but very defensive, unless the opponent blunders.
There are a handful of opening lines favored by masters that are analyzed in great detail. No-one is spending much time preparing for 1. a4 because we know intuitively that it’s not very good. There is less memorization than you might think and there are even a few books dedicated to helping players get away from the heavily analyzed lines without hurting your position too much.
Your local library should have opening and endgame books from Ruben Fine that should help you get started learning the game. Teachers that I’ve heard say that learning the endgame should be your first priority in learning to play.