How do I actually get better?

I'm still pretty new to chess and for the past few days, I've been going through a rough patch and losing a lot of games. I really don't mind losing as long as I learn something from it but even after playing matches and analyzing it seems I still make the same mistakes. So what are some ways to actually get good besides playing a lot of chess and analyzing your wins and losses? I do some puzzles and tactics but not very much, I also play against the AI and can win against some that are stronger than me but when it comes to playing real people I usually screw up. Is this just part of the growing pains in chess or am I just really that bad? 

Welcome to the site. Hopefully you will have great time here. Here is the guide of sorts that I've written:

https://www.chess.com/blog/nklristic/the-beginners-tale-first-steps-to-chess-improvement

I hope it will be helpful to you.

Hi Nolan. Welcome to the site. Firstly @nklristic's blog is very good so try to take it on board. It looks like your slowest game is 10-minute rapid. This is still too fast to help you improve. Consider making time for longer games, G30 at a minimum but 45|45 and Daily are also popular and will give you more time to think. As a beginner, your knowledge of tactics and calculation skills will be weak. These can be strengthened by doing puzzles daily. My preference is little and often, say 5 to 10 per day depending how much time you have. Over months you will improve steadily. If you like a book then Chess Tactics for Students by Bains is good for beginners. Playing through GM games can be instructive, Logical Chess by Irving Chernev is a collection of games for beginners, every move is annotated. Good luck.

The AI rating are not reliable, don't put much stock in those. 

There are three big things I'd suggest doing.

1. Slow down. You are making the same mistakes because you are reacting too quickly to think about your moves. It is hard to mull over past mistakes in a few seconds. Play a slower time control like 15-10, or longer. I used to play 10-0, now I play 15-10 and I'm running short on time. As a 10-0 player, I used to think such an action would be nearly impossible, I can play a full game in 10 minutes, with 5 minutes bonus and 10 seconds per move how could I ever be short on time? But as I've slowed down I've found more to think about and am playing better. 

2. Focus on simple things. Giving away pieces for free, losing to basic counting errors. This stuff is huge and game changing, yet very understandable. Hanging material still often determines games at my rating level of 1300-1400 rated play, it is even more important at your rating.

3. Post some of the games you are analyzing, especially close games or draws. Have comments and thoughts written out on some of your moves, etc. This lets other players see your work and comment on specific weaknesses they may notice. 

I agree with @catmaster0. Playing 15/10, 20/0, and other long time controls helped me improve a lot. 

Also, try reading Chess Fundamentals by Jose Capablanca. It's a great book which helped me.

Another great book is Weapons of Chess by Bruce Pandolfini. 

As you play more slower games, you will see that you improve. Doing tactics puzzles is also great, it helps you find tactics in your own games. 

You should spend at least a half hour a day on puzzles. Solve them completely in your head before you make your first move.

You're right, when you spend more time on a puzzle, it helps more than if you try to solve it quickly because you will remember the pattern better. 

It also helps you to develop your visualization skills for better calculating.

Yeah, 10 mins def too fast from my experience, I say play atleast 15 min game with 10 second increment. Or higher would work well too. I feel like puzzles along with game analysis and learning common endgames are the best way to get better. I currently for the past few months have been doing tons of puzzles and endgame scenarios and actually playing very little. Dunno if that's best but it is what I'm going with as I am enjoying it and feel it's making me better.

Improving Your Chess - Resources for Beginners and Beyond...

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

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell

Firstly, you should do puzzles and lessons on Chess.com, since then you can imrpove your calculation.

Next, play slower and think carefully. Don't play 10|0 and try to play slower time controls. I also sometimes regret a move right after it's played.

I'm considering giving a crap again. It has been about ten years since I was actually trying and not just blasting out 10 and 5 minute games and playing daily chess like a series of blitz flash cards rather than getting deep into positions. That is fun in itself but I'm getting in age (pushing 50) to where I need to get into more deep thinking to help stave off mental decline.  

I'll do a ton of tactics. That is a given. I need to pick a single opening for white and for black a single defense for each e4 and d4 and stick to them. 

The plan is to play less daily games at once and get deeper into analyzing each, and play 10 minute games more as a trainer. That is the longest time control that realistically fits into my life, and it gives me time to think. I'll probably flag quite a bit because the idea is to get through openings quickly and to concentrate more on getting a good position than winning. 

Thanks, everyone for the suggestions, I really didn't expect this many people to help me out so I'm very thankful. I've ditched 10 min games for now and begun playing more daily chess. I'm enjoying this much more because I can analyze and play out my moves ahead of time instead of blindly guessing. I've also begun doing puzzles, before I may have done them once or twice a week and really didn't put much effort or thought into them. Again, thanks to everyone for the help!

Daily chess is cool, it can help you but you need to play live longer games as well. In daily chess you have analysis board which will make things easier so you might not improve visualization as much as you could. So daily chess is better than speed games, but you can't really exchange longer live games. You should consider playing both. 

Geez, Igor is harsh

Memorize these checkmate patterns! :) Checkmate Pattern Flashcards, via @Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/742674073/checkmate-pattern-flashcards?ref=android_project_share

Play someone that is better than you.  You'll have more of a challenge and you'll learn some strategies along the way.

I have played this crazy game only three months, so you're getting a comment from a complete beginner. You've already gotten some great advice ... from much better players than I.

I'd like to play you. I'll send a Friend Request.


About two months ago Chess.com CHANGED 10 minute games from Blitz to Rapid.  (I still think of them as Blitz.)

Play 30 minute or 15|10 games. And (This was helpful advice for me from a more experienced player.) allow yourself to LOSE by running out of time a few times. Meaning, use the time to consider your moves.

I reviewed a few of your games. (Like a lot of people) you play 5 moves really well ... then you do something strange. (But it's easy to Monday Morning Quarterback....) John Bartholomew had a tip in his videos I really benefitted from.  See if you can stretch out your blunder-free play. Take your time and see if you can consistently play 10 moves without a blunder ... then 12 ... then 15....

I recommend Bartholomew's Youtube videos on the Fundamentals. They helped me a lot. Pay particular attention to coordinating your pieces when you play. That seems to be something you stray from for two or three moves.

Have fun!