this game I played, I am white. how can I get better?

Don't drop pieces

4 .. QxN

Several miscues here. First, playing d4 without c3 just gives the pawn away. Second, you blundered a Queen and Bishop after winning a Major exchange. Finally, you played reactionary, responding to threats without creating your own. So you really have at least three things to tackle here. First, when you want to take the center, you have to look at moves that support your advances. In this case, d4 is solid but only if you can hold the square. That's why c3 was needed. Playing that, the Bishop cannot take the pawn. Second, always look for captures, checks and forks or double attacks before moving, asking yourself, "what can my opponent play if I make this move?" and "is there a tactic or capture that I can make if my opponent makes a move?" This will cut down on hanging pieces a bit. Finally, if you have a material advantage and are able to do so, keep your foot on your opponents neck, exchange when it helps, especially when ahead material because you reduce tactical chances in the middle and endgame for your opponent. Now, when you look at where the game is headed, try to figure out what pieces should be on the board. If the pawns are locked up, you want a Knight and/or a Bishop that is the opposite color of most of your pawns. If you have the White pieces, exchange the minor pieces when you can. White does better with the heavy pieces in a lot of endings. If you are Black, exchange the Rooks and Queens as Black can play for tactical chances with the minor pieces. If you are behind in material, try to grab pawns when you can since every pawn taken off the board is one less pawn to worry about promoting. Finally, if you can initially control the 5th rank in a game, you will increase your chances of winning. Many younger players outplay older ones simply on this aspect, they remain patient and try to get 5 ranks vs 3 for their opponents. Once that happens, try to get a passed pawn to the sixth rank as it is worth at least a piece since that's what will have to take it off the board. Aside from those ideas, learn what the strategic and positional goals of the particular opening you play are. I play the Sicilian as Black and one of the main ideas is infiltrating the 2nd rank of White by the b or c files, hitting at b2, c2 and a3. As White I play mostly Queen pawn games, either the Colle and Zuckertort opening or the QGD. In the first, I'm looking to hit at the dark squares of e6, f7, g6 and h7, especially once the f6 Knight is gone. In the second, I know that the biggest weakness for Black is the c6 square and the c8 Bishop being developed. Thus, a lot of attacks are meant to hit at c6, b7 and getting rid of the ability for the c8 Bishop to develop. Knowing these small things will help improve your play at your level. Later, learning ideas such as blockades, erecting pawn chains and attacking them will see your elo jump. Also, learn your basic endgames as best as possible. They are boring and only serious players focus on them. If you get to an ending and can outplay the opposition, those are wins to be had. Good luck

stop hanging your queen, go learn mid game tactics and before each move double check to make sure you arent hanging any pieces. You might want to play longer games at the start to give yourself more time

You and your opponent both gave away decisive amounts of material. At your level, it does not pay to try to learn opening sequences. Just watch what your opponent is attacking and don’t move pieces to where they can be captured for free.

#4 absolutely. I still blunder in 10 minute play but that's about as fast as I'll go. Any faster and my blunders increase. I also agree, studying mid game tactics is valuable. I still have a copy of Lev Alburt's Chess Tactics Pocket Trainer that I go back to over and over

@NMMikeweir great advice. Asking what can my opponent play in response to this move is a great skill to learn

😭learn midgame,endgame too . solve puzzles,check what your opponent played..your opening is good

Mikewier, How did you get the NM title?

The usual:

Slow down.

Do give away material.

Dont miss simple tactics.

Follow opening principles.

Before each move ask yourself: "Are my pieces safe?"

After your opponents move ask yourself: "What is my opponent trying to do?"

Yes...I know this will require you to play slower and longer time controls, and you probably wont so good luck.