9 months playing and can't even get to 800

Initially I dropped way down playing 10 minute games. I lost a lottt on time. then I learned some stuff: control the center, don't double move, try not to blunder.. it took forever to hit 450. Then had about her recent increase to 620 but have been getting frustrated and blundering. I get flustered working through 5 move calculations move after move just to look and see someone is like 1000 in bullet but playing rapid as a 580.. this isn't the only time I lose but it does happen a lot. I study, practice end games, do puzzles, mess around with lines on analysis.. what should I be doing? I feel like my mind is doing the things but its going embarrassingly slow. I feel like most games I'm a tough opponent and stack up against around 1000 on lichess.. I would expect to be at least around 900 at the year mark but that doesn't even seem possible. any advice?

Chess takes time to master. It took me 2 years to reach 670 elo... But then again, just a few days ago, I was 560 and then I just kinda gained elo really fast. The number one tip is to think before you move, always have a plan and never resign. Believe me, I have been in situations where there is checkmate in 2 for my opponent and they just blunder a draw...

Also, after viewing some of your games, it seems like you struggle a bit in the openings. You should learn opening theory, such as center control, knights first and so on... As of reaching 620 rapid in 9 months is quite good! I dont recommend playing Blitz chess because you need time to think in chess especially if your a beginner. It messes up because you move before you think...

Improving Your Chess - Resources for Beginners and Beyond

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/improving-your-chess-resources-for-beginners-and-beyond

Hi there,

I am rated over 2400 online (https://www.chess.com/member/ppandachess). I created a free course that will teach you a training plan to improve. Feel free to check it out: https://www.panda-chess.com/daily-improvement-plan

Learn and apply the most important principles of chess. - (core of my teaching)
Always blunder-check your moves.
Solve tactics in the right way.
Analyze your games.
Study games of strong players.
Learn how to be more psychologically resilient.
Work on your time management skills.
Get a coach if you can.

You have to build tactical awareness. The only way to do that is study basic tactical motifs from a book till you have them down cold. I can’t tell you how many games I won simply because I remembered a tactical them and planted it on the board to later score a win. Think of it like learning your multiplication tables. You can’t solve higher level math without knowing the basics, and without knowing the basics in chess you will often miss a lot of tactics even if you blunder check simply because you have to train yourself to see the patterns. I posted something about this in a similar thread, maybe you should check it out….

In my opinion the focus at your rating should be to learn as many tactical themes as possible with a steady diet of games played with analysis, study from a theory book, and endgame study and do drills and the occasional lesson.

Advice number 1: Play longer time controls. Use your time and think.

Advice numer 2: Try to be a bit more honest to yourself. When you write "working through 5 move calculations move after move", that does not sound too believable. In your last lost game, you were up a piece, blundered it back, were up a piece again and then you blundered mate-in-1 in a completely won position.

https://www.chess.com/game/live/122574350447?username=wholelottahoka

The game before that was an absolute blunderfest where both players were throwing away pieces at every move.

https://www.chess.com/game/live/120063271172?username=wholelottahoka

I reached 800 from 400 by just watching GothamChess, I recommend digging around his videos from early 2023 because after a month of watching those I was able to improve, no puzzles, no games, just watching GothamChess 10 min rapid and 5 min blitz both worked for my improvement, but I recommend 10 min rapid because it is better for 1000+ rated improvers.

i feel for your pain in this situation ---i jsut wish i had you pain rather than mine -- iam at 150 3 min 295 one min games - and have been at it for two years almost -- still no progress --- up down up down everyday -- so being at your level is just a pipe dream for me -- and i think you will make a break through soon -- just start off each session with goal small goal then get it and stop -- move on next day to new small goal then stop

wish i could take my own advice but like poker iam addicted to this game and can't stop when i winning and can't stop when i slipping to the basement of this site the dreaded 100 basement ---- wish you luck you seem to have the balls to get ahead -- so keep going

I've given up worrying about progress. I'm a 400 player, always was, always will be. But I enjoy playing, so I still play.

Same (expect my rating is not consistent). I try not to worry about losing or gaining elo and focus on having fun.

Stop playing bullet and you will improve.