How to Advance beyond Beginner

In a recent post I asked at what rating are you no longer a beginner.  It was suggested that the number might be 1000.  I believe this is the right number due to a Class E Player having a rating between 1000 and 1199.  Furthermore what knowledge is needed to win a chess game begins to change are you start playing people rated above 1000 compared to those rated below it.  In short a Beginner is anyone with a rating below 999.  

Opening Play

A number of games at the beginner level are decided during opening play. The following Principles will enable you to not lose the game during Opening Play.  

1. Always understand the Adversary’s move.  Ask yourself if it was their move again what move would they make.  This is a good question to ask each time it is your turn to move.  
2. Make the same opening moves as often as possible.
3. Seek to establish two pawns in the center.  This results in your adversary being limited in mobility.  Learning how to taking advantage of weaknesses such as limited mobility is a key to improving.  
4. Develop your pieces.  What you are not doing is:
   1. Launching a premature attack.
   2. Making unnecessary pawn moves
   3. Playing with one or two pieces.
5. Castle. It is better to castle too early than too late!
   1. It is best too castle when can be conveniently done and on the side where the adversary’s pawns and pieces are least advanced.  
   2. Do not move the pawns in front of the Castled King.  
6. When deciding which move is best consider the following:
   1. If at all possible make an attacking move.
   2. If you can not make an attacking move, make a developing move.
   3. If you can not find a developing move make a restraining move. 

The Middle Game

Games between beginners are almost always decided by Tactics.  What tactics produce wins changes as your skill increases as follows:

1. Awareness of an unguarded piece that you can capture or a piece that can be captured by a pawn. 
2. Pins and Forks.  
3. Double attacks, and discovered attacks can be dominating at the beginner level.
4. Checkmate patterns such as back row mates, checkmate with Bishop and Queen,  Knight and Queen, Bishop and Rook will provide you with multiple wins.  

End Game

Beginners should know how to win won end games.   They should know how to win:

1. King & Queen vs King
2. King & Two rooks vs King
3. King & Rook vs King
4. How not to Stalemate!

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

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