this week i hit 1500 for the first time. even though i don't value ranking much, i am happy with the small milestone.

when i joined chess.com i was playing a lot of lower ranked players. i was 1200-1300 at the time and played people i felt were my own level. then i changed my strategy and sought out tourneys and opponents who were higher than me. as a result, thanks to some good wins, i've really jumped in rank.

to me, the most important stats are average opponent rating (low now, but improving) and the opponent win/loss/draw rankings ... which give me a good idea about my results.

here's my stats page: http://www.chess.com/echess/stats/davidsmeaton

what am i doing right and how can i continue to improve?

far better thn mine

I still like the idea that I wish I had followed when I first started on Chess.com:  Join one of the groups that plays a lot of vote Chess, and pay attention to what the higher-level members suggest for your group moves.  You will pick up ideas and strategies that you didn't even know existed.  Hope this helps!

1. It's good that you have a premium membership!
2. Submit your games for a analysis you will have 25/weekly and study where you went wrong
3. Do alot of tactics trainer!! :D
4. Watch chess videos :D
5. There is alot of things for improving!! You can find puzzles in the forum catergory More Puzzles!!
6. Those tips should help but yeah! :D
7. Good luck!

Also play really high rated players (2400-3000) And you can try and make them unrated Learn from your mistakes and where you went wrong in the games :) Might not need an analysis for some of them.

i would try this, but i'm sure that players so high are tired of being offered games by people 1000 points lower than themselves. i know many talented players are happy to help others learn, but being inundated with offers means they have to give up or just choose carefully ... that's why i never bother titled players or others over 2000

:)

Vote Chess is one of the best ways to improve your playing.