Looking for chess buddy

Hi guys,

I've been playing chess for a little over a year now (not particularly seriously), but I would really, truly like to delve deeply into the game. Thinking games are my cup of tea--chess, backgammon, poker. That being said, I believe I have potential, but I have been struggling with chess. I feel like I am capable of out-thinking my opponents, but I make one mistake and my whole game comes crashing down.

Nonetheless, I believe I have played around 1,000 games give or take, and I feel like I could really progress the most with just having someone to talk to. I'm a university student, and tried to join the campus chess club... but the guys there weren't particularly welcoming (to anybody).

If anyone would be interested in playing some games and going over them, etc., maybe even skype calls, that would be awesome. I'm off for summer right now, so I have a lot of free time.

why 

I doubt that. Do a computer analysis of a substantial game. As your rating is about the same as mine, my guess is you'll make several mistakes and a few blunders.

 I would go over OTB games with you. Right now I do them with my sister but she gets REALLY annoyed. Not sure if low level me would be a help but to boost my record I just won an OTB quickchess tournament http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?201605204872-16009740. 

 You rating is around 1100 in blitz, and you have ratings even lower.  This is slightly below average from the point where most people start tournament chess (1200).  A big mistake in chess is thinking you are better than your rating and dismissing the opinions of those who have put in more work.  You will learn more if you accept the truth and work with stronger players.

Franklin I am assuming you are talking to me. I was going to wait but the owner of the club I go to is nice and he encouraged me to join the tournament. Is actually was really fun, rating is just a side thing- I play chess to have fun. 

That's not what I meant :(

I analyze virtually all of my games (except stupid ones, and even them sometimes). But it's always as though my opponents are just clicking buttons, playing the "You didn't see that your knight was hanging" game--as in their only strategy is to play some unsound trick or hope their opponent doesn't see a board element.

In other words... instead of looking for tricks etc., I've been trying to learn positional strategies and what not, but I guess I'm not thorough or accurate enough.

I've been trying to improve my chess for a while, but I don't really have that much time, and I don't know where to begin. A while ago I went to the library and found Silman's book on endgames, but it seemed like there would be a better place to start... so I didn't get very far. I just bought and read all of "Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess," which wasn't very good, but it did open my eyes to some basic combinations I had overlooked previously.

Franklin, I haven't been able to put in much work--and I haven't known where to start--but I would really like to. That's why I started this thread--to see if anyone would be interested in working with me :)

I'm a junior chemical engineering major, so, unfortunately during the school year, I don't have much free time. I'm also an adept poker player, which takes up a lot more of my time.

A chemical engineering major?  Unless you're flunking out, then you must be at least somewhat intelligent.  If you can master thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer and reactor design, then chess should be a piece of cake.  Of course, I may be biased, as I majored in chemical engineering myself -- albeit many, many years ago (probably before you were born). 

I'd be happy to work with you to improve our games together.  Of course, I'm sure there are many others here who are much better at chess than I, but as a fellow chemical engineer, we have so much in common!