Tips for lower rated players

Hey everyone, it's aronian22, back again! Today we will be looking at the people my blog is dedicated to: lower rated players. Usually, I define a lower rated player as somebody whose rating is under 2000. But today, we're looking at a special class, U1200s. You are at a stage that is one of the hardest to improve in. So our topic today will be tips. Hopefully, they're pretty easy to follow. So, here we go!

1. Develop your pieces

2. Centralize your pieces.

3. Check to see if you've hung something every move.

4. Check if your opponent hung something every move.

5. Try to keep every piece defended by something.

6. Don't get overconfident. A streak will stop eventually

7. If you lose a game, it's not the end of the world

8. Read books aimed at players higher rated than you. Don't stop until you understand them.

9. Castle.

10. Books are a more reliable source than the internet. If you go on the forums, make sure you know the difference between serious and satire.

11. Follow the piece values.

12. Don't be distracted while playing.

13. Most advice people will give you will be correct, at least partially.

14. In general, be optimistic with your ideas. Even if they look crazy, you'll learn something. 

15. Play people who are higher rated than you.

16. Play e4. Trust me on this one. I play d4, but lower rated players should start with e4 because you learn more.

17. Be concrete, not abstract.

18. Respect your opponent, on and off the board. Assume they will see your idea.

19. If you feel awful after you lose, that's ok. That feeling is what pushes you to win.

20. Play chess as much as you can.

21. Analyse your games after you play them.

22. Think of one thing you learned after every game.

23. Have fun. If you're not having fun, stop playing.

24. No one is unbeatable.

25. Recognize your own strengths and weaknesses.

Well, that's all for today! Thank you for reading this. I hope I've helped you, at least a little bit.