general advice for "how to improve" posts

As a beginner who has been improving over the last few months, here are some tips for other beginners looking to improve.

First, review your losses and draws. Review your wins, too, but when you didn't win, you should try to figure out where it went wrong and what you could have done differently.

Second, you're on chess.com, so blog your reviews, which has two obvious benefits. It forces you to be a little more specific, which will make you learn more. And it shows everyone your thinking during and after the game, so someone here and there will likely offer quality free advice.

Third, review at least some of your games with your opponent after the game finishes. Point out things they seem to have missed and have them do the same.

Third, spend a little time every day doing one or more tactical problems very slowly, not moving until you have confidence in your solution. Doing this daily will gradually improve how you play actual games. My tactical rating on [other site with lots of stats] went up 300 points in a month doing this.

Fourth, take care of yourself. Get several hours of sleep at night and exercise regularly. You will be better able to learn and think more clearly.

If you can't afford or don't want a coach, watch some video lessons, play through tutorials, etc.

Almost any study and practice beats no study and practice, but spending a little time daily on this stuff seems to be really beneficial.