Practicing tactics, going through a lot of puzzles will get you far. It will basically reduce everything you're complaining about except for 2).
Pawn play can be tricky even at higher levels. Looking over some common pawn structures and their motives could help you. I don't know how advanced that is for your level but at the most try not to needlessly move them without any purpose.
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#1
"1) Making very silly blunders (mostly in the transition from the opening to the middle game)"
++ Take time to think. Always check your intended move is no blunder before you play it.
"2) Not really knowing what to do with my pawns after pieces developed, particularly ones on the castled side leading to avoidable mates (think getting better with non castled side)"
++ Each move should accomplish something. In general you should always play your worst positioned piece. Pawn moves should serve a purpose: driving a well placed piece of the opponent away, undermining his center... Be careful with pawn moves: pawns cannot go back.
"3) Missing key defences when in winning positions (for example recently taking a +5 position with 4 pawns on 1 to mate in two by missing a single pawn defence)"
++ 'A Won game is the hardest game to win' - Lasker. Stay focussed. Take time to think.
"4) Tunnel vision meaning I miss my opponent's blunders and therefore do not exploit them"
++ What did your opponent's last move try to do? What are the downsides of it?
"tips on how to best prep for the first game of the day?"
++ Solve 4 tactics puzzles as a warm-up.
"start of my stop at 2 games down rule"
++ Make it stop 1: whenever you lose a game stop playing and analyse it first.
Solve tactics without moving the pieces as best you can. This will boost your pattern recognition and calculation skills. Also, try to keep all of your pieces defended to minimize hanging pieces in one move, and also quickly scan your opponent's camp for undefended or 'loose' pieces before moving. Then see if you can attack those weaknesses. If you do that you will easily hit 1200.
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.
Hello fellow chess addict😀 I think i know how to solve your issue. You are overanalyze things, and you are very very harsh to yourself! No one said that you cant enjoy the game if you are bellow a certain rating! Only you do, and you force it on yourself! Before try to study and practice,Check for a mental reset. Its seems you are about to blow up, and your self worth somehow seems tied to your rating! No Sir😤 I suggest taking a break, fix maybe underlying life issues, and mentsl reset! Enjoy the process of getting better instead of ratings. As for an actual practical advice, i would say go back to the basics! I started playing chess some days before at 35 y. I love chess because fir ONCE i dont care about rating.(as someone who was a high rated League of legends player.... This says much believe me. In about a month I'm closing one year away from video games.) Chess4tw
Hi, I'm pretty low-rated and don't ever expect to be an outstanding player but looking for some advice on some very specific weaknesses I have identified in my game:
1) Making very silly blunders (mostly in the transition from the opening to the middle game)
2) Not really knowing what to do with my pawns after pieces developed, particularly ones on the castled side leading to avoidable mates (think getting better with non castled side)
3) Missing key defences when in winning positions (for example recently taking a +5 position with 4 pawns on 1 to mate in two by missing a single pawn defence)
4) Tunnel vision meaning I miss my opponent's blunders and therefore do not exploit them
Also generally any tips on how to best prep for the first game of the day? Always gonna be a better session if you start with a win.
Cheers!