I'll post this because it look me so long to tumble to the idea - no one wrote about it nor recommended it but did recommend all sorts of other methods for opening removable links (ex: KMC Missing Link). Make a simple double ended hook long enough to grab plenty of chain and create a loop of slack. The photo shows I made mine about 7 inches long just cuz 'it seemed right' and it works great - for removing the link and for putting it back together. No chain tension to deal with and having it out where you can see and handle it makes all the difference. It seems so simple you wanna smack yourself if you've not thought of it already.

Oh in the second photo the link with the bit of white paint is the Missing Link. Easier to find on a dirty mtn bike chain.