With open tunings, chords aren't so important, and you can learn more by experimentation than with standard tuning.
experimentation is important in standard tuning too.
most people unfortunately dont understand chords,but just learn a shape,they may learn an a minor chord,and not realise they have several different inversions of the chord scattered about the finger board .
learning about chord substitution is important in whatever tuning you are in .
with open tunings, chords are important,the whole point about some open tunings[DADGAD,CGCGCD,DADGBD]Is that modal chords[those without the third which defines major or minor]are often easier to execute than in standard tuning.,and use sympathetic ringing,advantageously.
knowing what you are doing,and analysis is vital for improvement,and important if you wish to teach guitar.
guitarists like Bensusan,know exactly what they are doing.