Any tips for playing higher-rated players

By higher-rated I mean players who are well past the stage of making mistakes and blunders, and who will notice if you make a mistake/blunder. But not quite master level players. So maybe something like 1600-1900 (rough estimate).

If playing a beginner you can win easily because they will do things like leave pieces undefended allowing you to just take them for nothing. When you pass beginner stage you can win by pulling off little tricks and setting traps to win material by your knowledge of tactics. You can still do this at casual club level too but you have to be more clever about it and think a few moves ahead.

But what about higher players who can spot tactics easily and aren't going to fall for tricks? How do you win these games? Just do the general stuff you're meant to do like keep the king safe, control the centre, have your pieces on good squares and just hope your position happens to turn out better?

#1
Middlegame tactics. That is how engines destroy all humans.

I'm not referring to blitz chess, I mean with reasonable time controls where you have time to think about each move.

"That is how engines destroy all humans."

Well that and the fact engines can see 10-20 moves ahead with just a few seconds thinking time.

There are no shortcuts. In general the way to beat someone better is to get better yourself. Identify your major weaknesses and work on those for some time. 

At our level, we are still pretty weak all-round compared to more experienced players, but all of us have different upsides and downsides. For me, I find that when the game gets to endgame stage, I score pretty well, so that is probably my strongest side of the game. That doesn't mean that I am good at endgames, as I only know some basic stuff compared to really strong players, but it means that at this level this knowledge is more than enough for me to win a lot more than I lose against people my rating when the game gets to that stage. Along with that, I think that I am ok for my level in positional thinking, and I know enough about openings for this level.

Probably my main weakness is tactical side of the game. I am not atrocious and in many games I get by pretty well, but that would probably be the first thing to seriously study when I decide to make some time for that. I lost some games where I was equal or even a bit better due to some oversight where I allow too much activity and afterwards I just fell apart.  I have found that I am not that good in sharp positions, so that is the other thing I would have to work on eventually (I could avoid some sharp positions, but I play them on purpose to get better in tactical aspect of the game). After that I would probably spend some time to study master games in the openings I play and strategy side of the game. 

That is the general advice which I will have to follow as well.

As for the more concrete stuff, higher rated players tend to be better at some finer points of chess. Things like pawn structures, weak squares, bad pieces, when to trade, and when not to, what concrete plans work in the openings they play and so on. Apart from not blundering, if you wish to keep up, you will have to go through those games without making some small concessions that would add up and make your position really hard to play.

if they dont fall for tactics then you will need deeper strategies, like creating isolated/backward pawns, weak squares.. 

some positions are unable to defend in endgames, one should foresee them in middlegame stage.

if all else fails then that means your opponent is simply better than you on calculating.

You've previously beaten an IM in 10 minute chess, so you tell us how.

Well, that is to be expected for now. If you were able to win most of those games you would be titled yourself.  

In any case, beating a titled player is a major achievement. You've gained a lot of rating points lately so I would say that you are doing something right. Keep what you are already doing, as it seems to be effective.

     You can't just hope your position will turn out to be better, you need to know what factors make positions better (or worse). Analyze your losses to stronger players and see how they managed to put you into difficulties. Many books have been written, starting with Tarrasch and Nimzovich, explaining their theories of positional play. Chess.com Forums on positional play contain many recommendations. Don't be put off by the fact that most such books are somewhat dated and feature games in since-discredited opening variations--it is not the specific positions but the general principles that are important to know.

Making blunders is something I still do and it can be quite frustrating. Many games on here and on another chess site I often play and the analysis shows I would get a significant advantage (several point lead) then blunder and throw it all away and end up losing a game that should have been a win. Makes me feel as if my ratings could easily be a little better if I could iron out the blunders.

With chess (and other games I'm sure) every move is critical, it just takes one bad move and the game is over for you. You have to look at everything and do tactic-checks and stuff for yourself and your opponent every single move to make sure you haven't missed anything before you commit to your move. It really does require your complete undivided attention if you want to play every move to a high standard. It's a mind fry.

Surrender. Because you will get demolished, manhandled and humiliated.. It's like a BDSM session.

Don't play to win, see it as an experiment. Try some sacrificial/unexpected moves, study their reactions. Try to find their weaknesses..

Many high rated players are good on regular openings and endgames. Try to create challenges.

I wonder if there are any men out there with a specific kink for being beaten at chess by a woman. Given how popular chess is and how there's a kink for everything, I bet this is an actual thing for some guys.

IMO for getting better at chess, aside from the obvious "just play more chess" I think staying fit and keeping healthy would help. Being fit, healthy and a clear mind should help with the being able to concentrate and stay focused during games.

Looking at a position and being able to say what the best move is is one thing, being able to stay focused to do that all game is another.

Those people around under 2000 will flounder in unfamiliar positions and will crack easily if you put pressure on them but do not try to overextend yourself. They will try to lash out for counterplay which makes things a lot easier.

Of course, you have to outplay them first.

No, he won't

As a 1800 I can confirm as well

heh

phew Im out of this range

I only know how to play in one pawn stcuture lol

my skill comes from calulcation and good intution

No get back here you 1300 otb player

I fall asleep instead.