Feel like my ability is regressing

I've had a search and there are a few similar topics, but I'd also like a bit of help with this game in relation to my problems, if that's OK.

In any kind of live chess I have been having massive problems recently. Last week I beat a 1400 quite easily and suddenly I'm being comfortably brushed aside by a 900 (below).

I feel like I've learned so much more chess theory recently but keep getting stuck in these games where the other player just doesn't give anything up. The only games I win are ones where the opponent makes a massive blunder. In this game, I thought about maybe sacrificing my knight or bishop to open the centre, but not sure if that would have worked out.

I really take my time over moves. Sometimes I lose by being rash, but in this game I was really slow and methodical and my opponent made most of their moves in sub 20 seconds.

At this point I'm starting to feel helpless as I've been stuck around 1000 for years in live chess. In puzzles and daily I am much better, although my daily is really falling apart at the moment as well.

I'd really appreciate any advice. And sorry if this is a typical whinge thread.

Your opponent has been progressing extremely rapidly. Who knows what his true rating is?

So you got beaten by a 900 who may have been underrated.

The 1400 is probably still whining about losing to you.

you play good actually

although there are some simple mistakes here in this game, like 33.Re2? 34. Bg2? 36. Qe2??

especially in final stages. are you getting excited towards ending? you can improve these..

First of all don't play blitz(if you are playing it) , plat more of 10 min and 20 min games ,try to find the best moves and slowly but surely you'll progress.

“I feel like I've learned so much more chess theory recently...”

That probably explains it. Taking in new ideas and concepts can make you regress while you brain re-wires itself. Just keep playing and in a few weeks or so you’ll bounce back up and most likely stronger than before. The main thing is not to panic. What you are experiencing is normal and healthy. 

Thanks. I think I get a bit restless, or kind of 'itchy'. I felt like I played solidly up until around move 32, but as with a lot of my games, I ended up being attacked before I could become the attacker if that makes sense.

Like, I see where my mistakes are here, but even if I hadn't made those errors, I don't know how I would have attacked the opponent's king. 

I do tend to play 15|10 games most of the time, unless I'm having a quick break at work in which case I play blitz (but I am more accepting of losing in blitz). What frustrates me is spending a minute or even several minutes on a few important moves, and still getting them wrong/losing. 

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/a-secret-thingy-known-only-to-me-and-everyone-who-knows-it-come-here-and-find-it-out-too

hey Max, I looked as well at the game you posted, and thats my conclusion.

Definetly you did few blunders, like losing the bishop, the queen, you probably know this.

But this blunders were made because your opponent started to pressure you. I think you need some lessons about pawn structure, because the pawn structure its like long room and shows you what moves you should do. You didnt listen too much in this game to the pawn structure, thats why you was the one under pressure, which led to blunders.  

First of all, that is normal. You need time to accumulate all your knowledge. Second of all, regardless of your theory knowledge, you need to practice tactics and endgames. Thirdly, at our level, blunders, even big ones are part of the game. If you want advice outside of the above points, learn some gambits to gain quick development and more open positions.