Looking for fastest way to improve my game.

Hello all, i am looking for the fastest way to improve my game, be it tactics, or a specific book. THanks for the help.

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/the-chess-softwares-you-were-looking-for

Tactics, tactics, tactics!

It's often said that, for players below titled level, the time spent learning and practicing tactics is the most efficient way to improve.

Personally speaking, the chess.com tactics trainer has done wonders for my game. If you want a book recommendation, I really liked Yasser Seirawan's "Winning Chess Tactics", but book recommendations are personal.

Practising little and often is far, far better than an occassional binge of studying.

Whatever option you choose, remember to enjoy it

Yes, tactics is definately going to be the fastest way to improve. It will also be the most important at your level.

I would recommend reading Ward Farnsworth's Predator at the Chessboard. He explains in words what is going on in each position and what you need to train yourself to look for.

Once you are familiar with the concepts, then you can use a website like Tactics Trainer to drill the patterns into your mind.Thre is another website available which offers unlimited tactics problems, and unlike here at Chess.com, you are given unlimited time to solve.

Fastest yes, but assuming you can put in the work:

1. Practice a ton of basic tactics problems.

2. Play tons of slow (not blitz) games.

3. Get a stronger player to critique your game losses.

4. Never make the same mistake more than once.

5. Adjust your thought process to look at all of your forcing moves in response to your planned move (before you play it).  If there's something forcing that you can't meet with your move, STOP! Come up with a better move that addresses this problem. Think of this as a "guardian angel" sitting on your shoulder whose sole mission is stop you from making stupid moves. This "safer" way of playing alone is worth 300-500 rating points for most weaker players.

Great thanks for the help. So it will be tactics. Is there any program you would reccomend for aqaurium? There is something about computers that just draws me to them, so I figure I'll put more time in this way then with a book.

And that link with a list of chess programs is very helpful!