I can't seem to get out of this rut

I've been stuck in the 850 - 880 range for a few weeks now after a constant upward trajectory through the 400 - 800 range. 

How do you break out of a rut like this? I feel I ought to be 900+ by now. 

I think I'm playing fairly well but maybe as discussed on another topic I now need to change up a gear and add something to my game. 

Thoughts? 

My current state of play. 

This is my most recent rated loss. 

And this my most recent rated win. (I know I missed the mate just before the end). 

Maybe get some lessons? I'd be happy to coach you a bit, help you get over the bump. Are you training with puzzles, also analysing your losses?

I've been thinking about booking a lesson with yourself. Also another chess.com friend rated just over 1000 has offered to play some unrated games against me to compare notes.

I do play the puzzles and enjoy the puzzle rush segment and usually do ok with them.

I run through my losses afterwards and usually have those "oh" moments where I missed something obvious like a check that would win a piece or something similar. 

I think not reading the whole board may be my biggest problem.

One way to improve board vision is by doing solo chess or puzzles/puzzle battle/puzzle rush. Also, it seems like your openings aren't that good, watch some youtube videos which show openings and try them out, you'll get a lot of easy wins.

Cheers.

What do you think isn't that good about my openings? 

In the first game you did four knights and both you and your opponent were just playing random moves. In the second game you played better, but didn't take advantage of certain weaknesses. Choose one opening for white (maybe 2), one for black against e4, one against d4, and maybe one against c4. I would recommend playing the Vienna and learning it through YouTube, it's a lot easier than using a book.

It appears to me like you're a decent player, but need more practice when under pressure from your opponent. experience will help with that. try to play players that are better than you often, you'll learn more from a loss to a good player than a win to a bad player

I can't give too much advice, as I hover around the 840 ranking, but what helps me is doing the Puzzle Rush in survival mode.  I got all the way up to 26 or 27 once.  You have good opening move skills, and you had me until move 19, then it went bad after move 20.  It helps me to run the analyze feature after the game to see what blunders I had done.  Good luck in your journey.

Just enjoy the game and you'll get better at it...

Just keep Track of all your pieces and see what is is being attacked

Don't give even a pawn for free

Hi! My name is Lauren Goodkind and I’m a chess coach and chess YouTuber based in California: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5SPSG_sWSYPjqJYMNwL_Q

I have tips to help you improve your chess skills so you can win more games.  

-I  offer a  free beginner’s free eBook on my website, www.ChessByLauren.com in case you are interested. The book is about asking questions before each move.  

-Learn basic tactics such as the fork, discovered attack, pin, and more.  I offer interactive puzzles on my website: https://www.chessbylauren.com/two-choice-puzzles.php  

-I recommend two books for you: “50 Poison Pieces”   and “Queen For A Day: The Girl’s Guide To Chess Mastery.”  Both books are available on Amazon.com.  Both books are endorsed by chess masters!  

-If you are serious about chess, I highly recommend you hiring a chess coach to help you.  

-Also consider all checks and captures on your side and also your opponent’s side. 

I hope that this helps.  

Study tons of tactics!

Yes