New to chess, want to improve

So I have recently started chess after not playing at all for 10 years and even when I used to play a bit I was awful, and my standard now is probably far better already then I achieved back then. After playing a few games I'm completely hooked and I desperately want to improve my game fast. I know significant study and practice is probably required to improve significantly however I'm sure there are basic mistakes I am making in my game which I can easily correct to make me a better player. I feel I'm generally pretty good at capitalising on blunders but that is where a large proportion of my victories stem from. If anyone has any advice I'd be very grateful. (I have very little interest in bullet and blitz chess and prefer rapid chess, I don't have sufficient time to think in bullet and blitz so make regular errors... Once I have a better grasp of the game I'll focus on improving in these formats). My first goal is to reach 1000 rated and I hope based on the games I've played I wont have too many problems reaching this level however I then want to kick on and next hit 1200, I don't think I'm at that level yet. Where can I improve? 

Thanks.

You are leaving pieces en prize and failing to follow basic principles such as 'centralise your pieces'. You need to practise basic tactics and practise following basic principles such as 'control the centre', 'centralise your pieces', 'get your king safe', and develop all your pieces before moving the same piece twice unless there is a concrete reason to do otherwise'. 

You are pretty close to 1000 already.

And if you have no interest in bullet, maybe try not playing bullet.

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

Hi, Habanababananero, two things. I feel pretty confident at hitting 1000. I want to take the next step though. Whilst I'm usually good at capitalising on big mistakes I often find myself in a losing position, I know though if I want to take my game further I can't rely on my opponents blunders. Take my last rapid game I won following a desperate attack. Luckily for me my opponent didn't respond with his best move available.. If he did I would have lost, plain and simple... If I'm regularly finding myself in losing positions now, i expect higher rated players to capitalise and win. I'm  just looking to the future. Second I've reread my post and understand the confusion. It's not that I have no interest in bullet and blitz games. I think they are fun... I mean I have no interest in analysing these games in detail because 1. My brain doesn't think fast enough to select good moves (I'm just not smart enough) and 2. My chess brain isn't developed enough to recognise patterns and instantly know the best move to play these games effectively. 3. As I become more experienced I suspect I will improve in these formats anyway.  I'm more interested in analysing my rapid games because this reflects my ability better when I have the chance to think about things and I think I'll make more meaningful improvement if I analyse thses games. It's not hard to see where I need to improve in the shorter formats. 

I recognise that I do this occasionally but I didn't realise I did this so often (beyond the shorter format games). If so I'm worse than I thought, can you share any examples you have identified with me? 

Hi! My name is Lauren Goodkind and I’m a respected  chess coach and chess YouTuber who helps beginners out : 

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

Send me one of your games and I'll be happy to analyze the game for free on my YouTube channel on Sunday livestream from 1-2PM PST.  Ask me questions in real time!  

 This is a great way to improve!

Here’s more  ideas to help you get better.  

-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. Always as, “If I move here, where is my opponent going to move?”. Do this for every single move!  

-Play with a slow time control, such as G/30 so you have plenty of time to think before every move.